It’s hard to believe that 10 years have gone by since I first started playing volleyball. It’s also hard to believe that this is my last season, my last game, and my last few practices. Hearing the word “last” brings tears to my eyes because the life that I live, the life that I am used to, and the life that I LOVE revolves around volleyball. I can’t imagine my life without volleyball, and to be honest, I am not ready for this to be the end. I have come to love this sport more than anybody knows; it is a part of me.
I would like to thank my family for always being supportive of me on and off the court. My parents attended every single match they could since I was in sixth grade. It is tough to make the trip to Minnesota from Illinois, but I truly appreciate them making the trips everywhere else for high school and club volleyball. They always took the time out of their weekends to wake up at 5AM to drive hours to tournaments. They sacrificed a lot to give me the opportunity to play the sport I love. Thanks, Mom, for always cheering extremely loud and being obnoxious at my games. It is embarrassing at times, but I love you for caring so much. Thank you for the thousands of times you would give me back rubs in between matches. I owe you one…. Thanks, Dad, for being a trooper and driving to all my tournaments at 6 a.m., while I’d be fast asleep in the back. Thanks for always thinking your daughter is number one. Thanks, Bec, for introducing me to the sport of volleyball. I remember when we were little, you took me outside and showed me how to position my hands to set the ball. I was so frustrated because it was such an awkward feeling and I couldn’t do it right, yet you still peppered with me. You are the reason I became a setter. Thanks, Joe, for coming to all the games that you could make. Thank you for surprising me at school and coming to our game that night. It was one of the best surprises ever and meant so much to me that you made the trip. My family is my number one reason and motivation to always perform my best and put my heart and soul into the game each and every day. They are the ones that I play the game for. Without my family’s love and support, I would not have made it this far in my volleyball career. I love you Mom, Dad, Bec and Joe, so much. I attribute all my volleyball success to you four.
I would like to thank all my teammates here at Saint Mary’s. Each and every one of you has pushed me to become a better player. I have made such close friendships with the girls on the team. We are a very close-knit group, yet extremely competitive which has made me a better setter and overall volleyball player. The other setters and I always love to play the basketball game. We get so aggressive and in each other’s faces, screaming and distracting, but we love to make each other better and get excited when someone else gets a great shot. I am definitely going to miss this game. Our team meshes so well and this had led to great successes. I feel so fortunate to be part of a team that made it to the NCAA tournament last season. Our team has huge dedication, putting so much time and effort into volleyball, along with our academics and personal lives. This hard work definitely pays off and I’d like to thank each and every one of you for busting your butts in the summers preparing for preseason, coming into practices every day pushing yourselves to become better athletes, and giving up a lot of free time to be with our teammates to make ourselves a better team. Everyone on our team has put so much of themselves into volleyball and their talents continue to amaze me each and everyday.
To my coaches, thank you for dedicating so much of your time to our team. Coach, you have made a huge impact on my life these past few years. Thank you for always being so supportive of me on and off the court. Your knowledge and constructive criticism have helped me become the player I am today. You are a great coach and have such a strong passion for the game. I appreciate the times you let me chat with you in your office if I had a bad day or just to give you an update on life. I’ve had a few rough patches over the years, but you were always there for me when I needed to cry or just vent. It means a lot to have a coach that cares not only about you as a volleyball player, but also cares about your wellbeing outside of volleyball. Tessa, thank you so much for the work you put in with the setters every day before practice. I love being learning so much from you because you are a very smart setter. You have made me a better volleyball player by all the comments you have given me the past few seasons. I’m so grateful to have you as a coach, along with your sassiness. I love your words of encouragement (that are not appropriate to write in here) that pump us up in huddles in between games. Ash, thank you for giving so much of your time to coach us. It is so much fun scrimmaging with you, and I love when you tell me what I can do to make my sets better for the hitters. Rhode, you are a very intelligent coach and you always make me laugh. You always have comments on our playing and how we can improve as a team. It has been a fabulous season being able to learn from you and have some laughs with you as well. I wish you would have started coaching at Saint Mary’s sooner than my senior year. To all the coaches, thank you for all your hard work and dedication to our team.
P.S., Coaches, the team ALWAYS sneaks a peak at the practice plans when you aren’t looking. : )
To our fans, you all are a very important part of our performance. You pump us up for matches and your intensity brushes off on us. Thank you to the students who dress up in ridiculous outfits and cheer loudly in the front row and to the students who have hilarious signs held up during the game. This support gives us that extra strength and the signs are always encouraging to read.
So I guess this is it, but I will never forget the amazing friendships I’ve made with the team at Saint Mary’s and the unforgettable times I have had being a part of this “special” team, as Coach calls us. I will miss playing volleyball competitively, that is for sure, but I will never stop playing volleyball. It has a permanent place in my heart and it will be an extremely difficult time for me when I realize the last game has ended. |
