Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Please bear with me as I tried to condense this as much as possible, but I just have so much gratitude for so many people, so it did get a little lengthy. My apologies ?. I cannot express how crazy this feels to be writing this right now. It seems like almost yesterday that I was just visiting Saint Mary’s and scrimmaging with the girls in the summer before I officially decided to commit to Saint Mary’s and now I’m saying my final goodbyes to being a member of this program. It’s so weird thinking that after a few weeks I will no longer be putting on a Saint Mary’s uniform and suiting up for the games next season. How unreal. All I can say is that this has been a great experience to say the least. I have learned so much from this team that words cannot express my sincere gratitude for being a member of this program. I feel like I have been here on the upswing of it all and I take great pride in being a part of seeing the program flourish and get better each and every year. That is something I will certainly take with me when I leave.
    
Dad-Whenever I have good or bad news, guess who I always call first? You, dad! Thanks dad for always being there for me no matter what. Thank you for encouraging me to join the basketball team in grade school and never looking back from there. Even though you haven’t necessarily been on the bench with me like in grade school, you have ALWAYS been and will forever be my number one coach and fan! You have always dedicated your time and money to me. You always made sure that you made it to (or watched online) every single game I’ve played in and I’m so thankful for that. Thank you for believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself and encouraging me to keep going when a little adversity hit. You are seriously the best father in the entire world and I thank you for raising R.J. and I to be the best people that we can and instilling the many values in us that we have. You are the greatest and so I dedicate this senior day to you and mom. I love you so much dad!
    
Mom- Thank you for sharing what little memories we have together. Thank you for blessing me and watching over me throughout most of my life from up above. I hope that I have made you the proudest mother of all and I know you are smiling down on me and are with me at this very moment. I do this all for you and I hope that you are enjoying this great moment with me. I love you ma.
    
RJ- The one person that has seen me grow through it all. I thank you for being such a great little “big” brother to me R.J. You are such a special gift to me and our family that you don’t even know. You have so much potential and I hope that one day you “set that little birdie free.” Thank you for playing one on one with me or two on one with dad and I in the driveway when we were at home. Even though we might argue, fight and try to “one up” each other sometimes, we still manage to work together, laugh and have each other’s backs. I love you and you will always be one of my best friends and my baby brother for life. Thanks for always being there Jr.!
    
Vicki: My twin, my best friend, my sister. I love you so much dude. We’ve started this journey when we were in tutus and now we’re in basketball uniforms. You and I have been and will always be partners in crime! I’m extremely excited to see where we go in the future, but I know that we will always be sisters no matter what. You have been there for me and with me through it all since we were 3 and 4 years old and will be with each other until we grow old. You know me better than I know myself and thank you for never leaving my side! Our memories are priceless and some that will always be in my heart. I love you twin!
    
Family: You all are my rock and such a huge part of my life and I thank you. You have all seen me through it all and have been there right there cheering me on through the good times and the bad. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart and I love you all.
    
Coach Pearson- I’ll never forget when I was pulled out of my homeroom class to meet with you and Freddy in the conference room in my school girl uniform and you both thought it was hilarious. I remember talking to you on the phone a few times and not being nervous because you made me feel comfortable. I remember you telling me about the First Generation Program here and honestly, if it wasn’t for you telling me about that, I’m not so sure I would have been able to afford Saint Mary’s! So I thank you. Thank you for being such a great coach and person I could come to if I had questions or concerns.  You have such knowledge of the game it’s awesome. You always motivated me to get better every day and in every off season. I remember always getting yelled at for not being in triple threat my freshman year and not killing my dribble so fast, needless to say I think I overcame those bad habits ?. You always encouraged me to develop good habits and control the controllables and that is something that I will always cherish. Thank you for believing in me and never giving up!
    
Coach Freudenberg- Freddy, Thanks for always keeping me on my toes. You are just too funny! I remember when you and Adam came to my game at Riverside Brookfield I think it was like the Regional Championship or something like that but anyways, you said you almost didn’t recognize me because I didn’t have my school uniform on but a basketball uniform. That was funny. You are so dedicated to the game and have outstanding knowledge of it as well, it’s incredible. You always stress how important it is to “fake it until you make it” and that is something I will always remember and take with me in my life. Thank you for not being too freaked out when I would sneak up on you in your office ?I just thought it was so funny! I have had a great time playing for you and Coach Pearson and I will certainly miss it!
    
Coach Boese- I promised myself that I would CRASH more! I know you sometimes feel like a broken record when you always tell me to crash and I often get caught up and forget. Sorry! Thank you for pushing me to crash and go get those rebound because you knew I could!
    
Coach Merg- Thanks for always being willing to work with me in or outside of practice on certain things and for always encouraging me to have confidence especially with my free throws! I appreciate you pointing out things that I do not see and not letting up when I was playing defense on you at practice. Thanks for everything Coach Marge Merg oops I mean Coach Mary Merg! PMKI.
    
Ben, Bill and Jill- Thanks for keeping up with all of my problems and being so patient with me since I was so high maintenance in the training room! You are an awesome trainer and thanks for everything including bringing in your son every now and then to brighten up our days!. Bill, Thanks for answering my questions and taping my ankles whenever it was super hectic in there and Ben was busy. Thanks! Jill, thank you for making me laugh and being there to tape me if it came down to it. Wait why are we clapping?!"
    
Coach Sagar- SWAGGER! Thanks for making lifting and conditioning fun! It sure was not easy to be motivated to get up every day (except Wednesday’s) at 6am and be ready to work hard, but you helped make it fun and not too painful. You motivate us and are such a great coach! I honestly feel like I got stronger and was more prepared for the season than I had been before and for that and all of the support you give to us, I thank you.
    
To my former teammates:
    
Emily Dewit- You never ceased to make me laugh and I loved that. You were always one to work hard no matter what.
    
Janice, and Jess- Thanks for being such great role models for me my freshman and sophomore years. You both were so funny and great teammates to have.
    
Court Athnos- Promie! You are just too great! Your text messages before and/or after games are the best! You have always been one of the funniest people I know and I thank you for putting a smile on my face those days I did not feel like smiling!
    
Britt- Ma’am aka Sir. Where do I even start? OK “Ladies first then sir.” I wonder if you’ll ever let me live down the fact that I did not text you the summer going into my freshman year at Saint Mary’s? Ha you were so upset! You are the real MVP for traveling to Winona AND the cities to see us play, that’s pretty awesome if you ask me! We have a billion memories that I cherish and I am super excited to see where I friendship goes from here. Thanks for always being such a great friend to me over the past four years. It was always me and you on our road trips back to school early from break for practice and those times were the best! We went through so many CD’s. Then you left me and forced me to ride back to school with Andrew and we ALL know how that went down ? Kidding- but thank you so much for being just a great person overall and always someone I could come to for advice or just a simple laugh!
    
Darce and Court E.- You both are just too great! I loved playing with you over the years. You both are terrific role models and have such great hearts. Court-you were one of the first people I ever met at SMU and had a lot to do with why I chose to come here. When I stayed on the overnight visit with you, you treated me so nicely and I just knew I needed to come here. I will never forget our late night runs to taco bell or those times when we would blast the music “bump into SMU.” Darce (my fruitcup)- you are the best and transferring to SMU was one of the best decisions you could have made because if not, you wouldn’t have gotten to meet me! In all seriousness, you were a blast to play with and such an incredible three-point shooter. I always tried to channel my inner Darcey when I shot a three (but it didn’t work out as well for me ha) We have countless memories, and millions of laughs that I will always hold and cherish. You both are the best and I am incredibly thankful for our friendships.
    
To my fellow seniors:
    
Sara- Well we’re the last two standing from all four years! I’d say that’s quite an accomplishment! Oh Sara, I remember when we first started playing together and you were so shy and hardly said anything to anyone, and now you say everything lol! I’ve enjoyed playing with you over the years and can say that we’ve been on a long journey together. You and I have always been competitive with one another and honestly, that has made us better players for sure. I wouldn’t change that for anything. This year has certainly brought us closer and I’m appreciative of that. I know you’ll go far in life in whatever you do and I hope that these past years have been just as enjoyable for you as they have been for me. Thanks for being a great teammate and co-captain with me this year- it’s been an incredible ride. P.S.--- I’ll always think of you on “the first” (Madea voice)?
    
Nast- Natalie Nasty Jewel Williams! Nast, where do I even start with you child. You have become one of my best friends here at Saint Mary’s and someone who I can come to with anything. You were always the one who would give me that extra push I needed with anything that I was struggling with and I thank you and appreciate it so much. I loved being roommates with you sophomore year and then at the hotels this past season. You have so much heart and determination it’s incredible. To go from being a manager for 3 years then then say “hey you know what, I’m going to work hard and play my senior year” is one for the books. If I write down all of my memories with you, I’d be writing a book. We have had so many good times and memories, it’d be hard to narrow them down. Thank you for being such an invaluable part of my Saint Mary’s experience. You have taught me so much about myself and life in general. You have such a big heart and will no doubt go far in life. I love you so much Nastalicious!
    
Andrew- Drewski- Ahh I survived yet another 4 years with you, how did I do it? JK ? in all honesty, Andrew, you have been my best friend through all of this. You have had my back through it all and for that I thank you. Thank you for putting up with me for another 4 years and being there for me during the good times and the bad. I probably would not have survived without you. We are two peas in a pod. Whenever people see me they usually find you right by my side or ahead of me because you walk so dang fast! I’m excited for our road trips that we will take in the future and loved the ones that we have taken in the past to and from school. You are a true friend and someone who would give his last for me or even my brother. That’s special to me and I thank you for being there for me whenever I need you. I’ll never forget our infamous Snapchat jam sessions and I’m super excited to see how far our friendship goes in the future. I love you bestie.
    
To my lovely juniors:
    
Micaela- Mic! My Pretty Little Liars buddy! I loved watching PLL with you on Tuesday nights (when I wasn’t overloaded with homework)! It’s been so nice to see you grow and develop as a person and player over the years. You have really stepped up this season especially and I’m super excited to see you play next year! You and I have some of the best talks and I’ll always remember those good times!
    
Natalie- Nat, my locker buddy! We have had some good times on that side of the lockerroom I tell ya! We had the most random love/hate relationship and I wouldn’t have wanted that with anyone else. You fought through a lot of adversity and I know that you will come back full throttle next season! P.S. don’t let anyone else put their clothes in your locker or their shoes in front of your locker next year- that’s my job!
    
Shelby- Shweebe pie! How funny was it that we were Buddies during pre-season?! It was super random, but it was a lot of fun. We always made our workouts together a good time. You are one of the funniest people I know and there is never a dull moment when you are around. It’s so great to see how you have grown over the years and I’m excited to see what next year holds for you!
    
Haley- You are probably the funniest person on our team! You have so much heart that it just shines through in everything that you do. You are so strong and have come so far over the years and it’s amazing to see. I tell ya one thing- you were so hard to box out at practice! You crash so hard and wanted the ball more than anything. You work so hard outside of practice and bring so much energy to the team. Keep it up!
    
Bridget- You are one tough cookie I must say! You are one of the most hardworking people I know! You are always the first one in the gym and most likely the last to leave. You set such a great example for us and I know you will be a great co-captain with the others next year. You don’t let up for anything and that’s an excellent quality to have. You have had such a fast recovery from your injury this season and I know that you will bounce back soon. Keep up the hard work!
    
To my wonderful sophomores:
    
Aude-YASSS BAE YASSSS! Who would have thought we would have gotten so close over the past few years? You are one of my favorite people and a great teammate nonetheless. You give me the hardest time in practice because you crash so hard and I love it. You have come so far and I know you will just get better from here.
    
Sam- If anyone is the epitome of a hard worker- it is you. You have proven that hard work certainly does pay off. Keep up the great work kid! You do everything with a smile on your face and have a spirit that so fun to be around. You are such a great person with a great heart and I know you will go a long way!
    
Emma- Emmie, you are just the funniest. You say the most random things and I love them. I’m certainly going to miss walking out of the starter huddle with you so it’s not awkward walking out there alone ? I hope you have a walking buddy next year! You are the most crafty ball handler I know and it’s always so cool to see how you can maneuver through people and then be wide open at the basket. I don’t get it, but it’s awesome! I’ll miss those treats from your mom- you are so sweet for always sharing with us! I’m excited to see what the future holds for you Emmie.
    
Jessie- You are one strong young woman! You are such a fighter and have such tenacity, it’s admirable. Nothing can stop you and I’m glad to have been your teammates these past years. You are such a beautiful person inside and out and I’m excited to see what your future holds for you!
    
To my fantastic freshman:
    
Kayla- you are seriously the ONLY person I know who LOVES chunky peanut butter! I think it’s not the best thing in the world but to each it’s own right? You are so funny and always get me with your little pranks (throwing sweet tart chews at me in the hotel) but I must say I got you that time at the mall haha. You make some of the best passes I have ever seen and it’s been fun playing with you? Thanks for teaching me what #SSS means… I’m officially cool now ? Keep working hard and you’ll keep seeing results.
    
Lex- You are just too funny! You always come up with such clever things to say and they are so funny. You have such a great personality and it’s so fun to be around you. Keep being aggressive and working hard in the off season and you’ll see good things happen.
    
Molly- Molly Molls- I remember asking you if you liked to sing during pre-season and you said “NO” yet I ALWAYS catch you singing! You are so witty and probably the only person who can make quick comebacks at Andrew’s heated comments lol. You have such a nice turn around J and three point shot! Keep up the hard work and it’ll pay off! P.s I’m so happy we came up with a handshake the last couple of weeks of the season!
    
Larissa – I remember when Javi would always talk about you and how much you loved playing basketball and I can totally tell! I am so happy you decided to stick it out with us and you have done a great job managing us this past year. You are one of the nicest people I have ever met and I only hope the best for you in the future.
    
Paola Arevalo-Pow Pow, I have had the pleasure of getting to know you well before the season started and I consider that to be a blessing. Working together last summer was the best! I finally got you to break out of your shell and we had some deep conversations that brought us closer than we have ever been and I love it! Keep being the sweetheart that you are!
    
Friends- Thank you all for being such great people and making my experience worthwhile. Thank you for all of your support throughout the years, I appreciate it!
    
Edith- How do I even begin with you Phoebe. You are truly sent from God. I have never met a more encouraging, loving, caring, and compassionate person in my life than you. You have helped me through so much in my life these past few years and I thank God for bringing a great friend like you into my life. Thanks for everything Miss Edith, I love you!
    
FGI family- Thank you for being my home away from home. I have developed relationships with you all and I know that we all will succeed in our endeavors. We have all come so far and I am excited to see what our futures hold. Thank you for all of your support and love over the years, I couldn’t have done it without you.
    
Priscilla-Peach, even though you’re on the other side of the world right now studying abroad. You have been one of the most important people I have met here at SMU. You have always been there for me no matter what and someone I could come and talk to about anything. You and your family have done so much for me and I really appreciate it. You are such a special person to me and I’m excited to see how far our friendship goes. Love you!
    
Maya, Coco, Corrine, Santi and Rika- Pure definition of SUPER FANS!! You all are the best and bring ( or have brought) so much energy and excitement to the crowd and to us even. Thank you for all of your support over the years! My experience would not have been the same without you all ?
    
The New Village Crew- This category contains too many people and so I’d be taking up this entire booklet if wrote about all of you individually. You know who you all are! Thank you all for always being there both on and off the court. I’m so glad that we have become good friends over the years and I appreciate all of your love and support.
    
Dr Fox- I remember after orientation my dad was very excited that you were my advisor and that you were going to help me succeed here at Saint Mary’s. Little did he or I know, but you have been there for me long after my first semester in your LCT class. It’s crazy to think that I started in your First Seminar LCT class, survived Oral Communications with you and landed myself into your Capstone LCT class!! ? So you have truly seen my journey from freshman year to senior year. One thing’s for sure, after every game, I can for sure count on an email from you the next day and I could never thank you enough for your support both on and off of the court.
    
Dr. Krainock- Thank you for always embarrassing (not too embarrassing) me in botzo AND in physiology occasionally by putting up my stats on the projector for the class to see from the game the night before. I could always count on you to do that when I sat down in class the next day! Thanks for the emails of encouragement throughout the years and the encouraging advisor sessions when I was contemplating switching my major. Thanks for everything!
    
Dr. Bucknam-Thank you for being a great advisor to me over these past few years. I appreciate your insight and helping me try to figure out what I want to do with my life in a few months. I appreciate all of your time and dedication in helping me succeed here. Thank you for everything!
    
Dr. Peckover- Thank you for all of the little pep talks- being there to listen to me and for giving me advice about school or life. P.S. I really hope that my peanut butter M&M’S make it a long while ?
    
Last, but certainly not least, thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years as a program and who has supported me personally. Even if you were not named personally, you are still greatly appreciated. Thank you to the Saint Mary’s community for making this an incredible journey!