Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Each year, I have listened to those who graduated before me talk about writing their senior salutes. It is hard for me to believe that the time is here for me to write my own.  These past four years have been incredible. I have made some fantastic friends that I know I can depend on. I am extremely thankful for everyone and everything that volleyball has brought to my life.  
    
First, I would like to thank my mom and dad. They have supported me in volleyball since middle school (with turtle shell kneepads) to traveling to as many matches and tournaments as possible in college, whether I was playing or not, and everything in between. Not only have they supported me on the court, but in anything and everything that I do.  You have always encouraged me to follow my dreams and helped me to do the best that I could in everything I do. I do not know where I would be without both of you! You are truly inspirational people!
    
Throughout my four years at SMU, I have had great coaches.  I would like to thank Coach Lester for recruiting me and giving me the opportunity to play volleyball in college. I appreciate how much time and effort that you put into our program and my individual development. It has been a great experience and I have made so many fantastic friends. Jackie, you are so driven to do well. I am glad that you joined our program my junior year and have pushed all of us to be better.  I know that you will continue to help our program in the years to come! Rohde, I am grateful that you have been with our team for my four years at Saint Mary's. You always know how to brighten our day and know how to make practice fun!  Tessa and Jenna Ness, thank you coaching for my freshman and sophomore years at Saint Mary's. You both helped me to improve on and off the court!
    
Bill, thank you for helping me with my various injuries over the years.  I'm sorry about the gray hairs that I gave you because of my weird injuries and complications! I really appreciate everything you have done to help me stay on the court or get back into the game.
    
To the fans that supported us—Thank you for coming to all of our games! We really appreciate your support and dedication!
    
To the those who graduated before me—
    
Erika and Ku, it is hard to believe that we were "your freshies." You were such great role models for the entire team! I am so happy that you both are following your dreams in the medical field and teaching. Bree, Tara, Carissa, Megan, and Cathy, I am so glad that you were my teammates for two years! You are each very special people and I hope that everything is going well for each of you! Lexi and Bunne, it was fantastic to be able to play with both of you for three years! Both of you are fun to be around and great volleyball players!
    
To my fellow seniors— I am blessed to have been in this class! We have a great group of people and have been supportive of each other throughout every situation these past four years. In addition, we were able to travel...a lot! I will never forget our trips to Boston, Italy, and Colorado. We had a blast in each place and the memories will live with me forever. I could not have asked for a better group of people to be with me on this wonderful journey!
    
Mary, I remember when we were both campers at SMU before our senior year in high school. I am so grateful that we both chose to come to Saint Mary's and have been able to play together these past four years! Over the years, you have been there for me in every situation (to listen to me, give me advice, laugh with, cry with, and everything in between) and I really appreciate it! I am so grateful that we have become fantastic friends!
    
Molly, you have been an amazing teammate and friend! I am so glad that we have been able to share so many memories throughout our four years! I know that you will be a great teacher and will succeed at any school you are teaching at!
    
To the juniors—I am glad that I have been able to spend the last three seasons with you all! You are an extremely talented group! I hope that each of you has a great senior year!
    
Jenna, you may be a junior in volleyball, but I consider you as a senior. You have been with our class since freshman year and I am grateful to have spent these four years with you!  You have such a strong passion for volleyball! I hope that you have a fantastic super-senior year!  Emily, you work extremely hard in everything that you do, on the court and in the classroom. I know that your hard work will pay off for you! I love listening to all of your crazy nursing home stories, and no, I do not see the salamanders! Jordan, you are so good in the back row and at the game "Head's Up"...burrito! I will miss all of your jokes and your ability to make anyone smile. Tayler, you have improved so much over the last three years! You have worked extremely hard and it definitely shows. I hope that you have a fantastic senior year! Macki, I am so glad that you joined volleyball after your freshman year! You are so talented and have been a great addition to our team! I hope that you continue to have a great athletic career. Lex, I have no idea how you get half of the digs that you do! You are truly incredible! I hope that you have a great and healthy senior year! Alex, I am so sorry about this setback, but I know that you will come back even stronger! You are a fantastic hitter...I am glad that you are on my team because I would not want to dig your hits in a match! Kenzie, I am so glad that you decided to transfer to Saint Mary's last year! You are such a great player and a positive person!
    
To the sophomores—Enjoy the next two years, they go faster than you think! You all will go far in life with your hard work and persistence!
    
Molly Urban, I am so glad that you have opened up more this year because you are hilarious! I love all of your jokes and funny comments! Keep up the good work on the court; you are a force to be reckoned with! Maddie, you are such a sweet person and you work hard at everything that you do! You have improved so much over the last two years! I can't wait to see what you will accomplish in the future! Moe, you do a great job in the back row! You are going to accomplish so much!
    
To the freshmen—Believe me when I saw that it feels like I was a freshman yesterday! Cherish each day and every moment of college because it flies by! I am so excited to see what you four accomplish over your college career because all of you are extremely talented!
    
Brittany, you are a fantastic setter! I am so glad that you chose to come to Saint Mary's! I know that you will have a great career at SMU! Sara, you have already improved so much this season! I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you! Keep up the hard work and you will accomplish great things! Clare, you are such a hard worker and a great passer! I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you! Keep up the good work! Cassidy, you are a great hitter! I hope that your ankle continues to heal and that you will be healthy soon!