Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Everyone always says how fast time flies by and I never really believe anyone until now. The past four years at SMU have been the most influential years of my life and volleyball has been an enormous part of that. I’m grateful for the people I have met, friendships I have made, and lessons I have learned along the way.
    
The first people I definitely owe and endless number of thank you’s to are my Mom and Dad. Thank you guys for working so hard to giving me so many opportunities and supporting me no matter what my choices are. Dad, thank you for always making me laugh even when I was one of the crankiest people on the planet. But let’s be real we probably were being immature and got in trouble by Mom and you tried to blame me or something. Mom, I know you only planned on having one kid but ended up with me and Dad so first of all thanks for tolerating and loving us unconditionally ? But seriously I don’t know many people who can say that their mom has been to every sporting event besides a select few games (that I told her not to come to). Thanks for being my best friends and for the endless support and love.
    
To my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins - thank you all so much for traveling to games and following my team. Your enthusiasm and support for me volleyball career has been amazing and I can’t thank you all enough!
    
To the Gillilands, Meyers and Buehlers - thank you all for taking me in as basically one of your own children over the years and being the best family (by choice) I could ever ask for. You guys are the best of the best and I don’t know what I would do or who I would be without you all.
    
Robby and Carly - wow, I don’t even know where to begin with you two. Thank you guys for being my rebounding and pepper partners, for the late night talks, for always being there when I needed someone most and for being the best friends I have ever had.
    
Johanna and Emily – thank you both for being my “sisters.” I can’t imagine where I would be without you two and am so thankful I have had two amazing people like you guys to look up to my entire life. I love you guys so much and am so thankful for you both.
    
Kelli - thank you for always being my blonde bestie and for always telling it how it is – seriously, I love it. Thank you for always keeping me up to date with the hot jams and always being down for a shopping/lunch date.  Finally, thank you for all your support over the past four years! Love you Kelli Kel!
    
Caroline - thank you for just being you. You’re smile and positive energy is so contagious I just know its going to be a good day whenever I see you. You’re going to do big things in this world and I can’t wait to see you succeed. Thank you for all your support over the years! Love you Carol!
    
David – no matter what has happened, you have always been extremely supportive and even though you might not know it you have pushed me to work harder – but no way can I keep up with your workout habits. Thank you for always listening to me and reminding me to stay positive. You are truly one of a kind and I am very thankful for you! To the rest of the Barry family – thank you for all being so supportive of me, you are all some of the most kind hearted people I have ever met and I’m lucky to know you guys!
    
Ben - thanks for being someone I can always count on. Thank you for always listening and not judging me for being too blunt (not that I am or anything). Although your advice is a little shaky and you can be a bad influence you’ll always be one of my best friends. P.S. – you’re the best line judge in the league.
    
The Business Department faculty - thank you for all your wisdom, humor and support over the past four years. I couldn’t have asked for a better work-study position or the greatest faculty to learn from both as professors and people. Professor Jackson – your congratulatory emails never went unnoticed and were always greatly appreciated, even when it wasn’t said out loud.
    
Now for some SMUVB thank yous – oh boy…
    
Coach Lester - thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a cardinal in every sense of the word. I was able to receive an awesome education, learn multiple life lessons and make lifelong best friends all while playing the sport I love most. Thank you for challenging us every day mentally and physically (well kind of thank you for that) and making us better team and better people overall.  
    
Jackie - ohhhh Jaqui, thank you for all your advice and hard work over the past three years. Even though you say you’ve never worked with setters I still learned so much from you and you definitely made me a better player. I am thankful for how close we have gotten and am going to miss you so much! Good luck finding a sandwich maker quite like me ?
    
Rhode - thank you for coming to practice each day with a smile on your face. Whenever you’re in on a drill in practice we know its going to be a challenge but its also going to be extremely fun, but don’t forget that you don’t even go here. You’re also pretty “meh” (insert hand twist here) at blocking. Thanks for keeping the mood light and for being an awesome coach and an awesome person. Don’t forget, foot digs sometimes work!
    
Jenna Ness - although we only got to spend a year with you, you impacted us all in a way we will never forget. If I had a dollar for every time I ended up on your couch just chatting about life my college would be paid for. Thank you for always listening, we miss and love you!
    
Donny - thank you for all the hard work, time and effort you put into each and every sport season.
    
Matt Sagar - thank you for pushing us every single day we stepped into the weight room or onto the floor to condition. Props to you for handling and taking our sass and ‘tudes at 6 a.m. and turning it into a drive to get better. Our team is stronger, faster and better after even one year with you.  Although I can’t say I will miss quarters or those horrid towel pushes I will definitely miss your enthusiasm for what you do. Thank you for making us better each and every day.
    
Bill - thank you for everything you did for this team for the three years you were here with us. You probably got the worst side of most of us when you made us sit out but in the long run we’re thankful you did.
    
Jill - thank you for basically being our mom this year and taking such good care of us. Your enormous heart makes you amazing at what you do and I wish we could’ve spent more time together. The players to come in the future are extremely lucky to have you!
    
To the fans who have attended our games, thank you all so much for your energy and support. Nothing feels better than playing in front of a great crowd and you all are the best in the business.
    
Megan, Carissa, Cathy and Tara - thank you guys for taking us all in as freshmen and showing us what this program is all about. You guys were amazing leaders on and off the court and I couldn’t have pick anyone better to learn from.
    
Lexi and Bunne – You both are extremely talented athletes and two of the most kind and caring people I have ever met. Thank you for all the hard work, leadership and friendship over the two years I got to spend with you guys! I hope you both are still indulging in a nice pizza every now and then.
    
Mary, Janae and Molly: Mary - I can’t count the number of times you have saved me with your blocking so a major thank you for that! You are a very talented player and a great person! Janae – I think its safe to say that you’re a borderline genius. Thank you for always having such a passion for the game and a dedication to our team. Hope you’re rockin’ it at med school! Molly – you are one of the most kind, caring and genuine people I have ever met and I’m so glad to have you as a friend. You made me a better player and a better person every day. Thank you for everything Molls. P.s. – can’t wait to be hearing those wedding bells (hopefully soon?).
    
First of all to all my fellow seniors – you guys are the number one thing at my con list of graduating early. The only reason I have contemplated staying next semester is because of you girls and the thought of leaving you all brings me to tears every time. I can’t imagine any of this without you and am so thankful to have you all in my life.
    
Jenna – holy cow am I thankful you came back and played with us for another year! Your knowledge and passion for the game is something that amazes me every single day. Thank you for being one of my best friends and for always pushing me to be better.  
    
Emily – Thank you for being one of the best friends/roommates I could ever ask for. I’m so thankful that volleyball brought us together - there isn’t a day that goes by where you’re not making me laugh and honestly where would we be without mama Eminy?! You’re truly an amazing person and going to absolute crush it at PA school.
    
Jordo – You somehow manage to pull off the craziest digs that I just need to shout “how?!” at, also those setter hands though? Pure gold. Thank you for being my partner in crime, laughing at/with me, quoting Friends with me, sharing a love of an endless number of things with me and for teaching me to just go with the flow. You also aren’t allowed to replace me next semester, I’m leaving my bed made and coming back for slumbies!
    
Lex –You’re definitely one of the most talented people I have every played with but other than that you’re also one of the most caring people I have ever met. Thank you for being one of my best friends since day one of freshman year, for the advice and for all the memories. I’m going to miss you like crazy woman!
    
Macki – I remember thinking “who is this girl” when you walked into the gym for spring season – tbt to when you were shy and quiet towards us. Oh boy have things changed! You are hands down the definition of a natural athlete and as humble as they come. I’m lucky to call you one of my best friends and thoroughly enjoy tbt-ing with you no matter what day it is. I hope we get invited to the same weddings so we can continue to have a blast.
    
Al – the list of thank yous I owe you is a long one but most of all thank you for being such a great friend to me in the short time I have known you. Can’t wait for more lazy nights involving ice cream and candy! Always remember to end life advice in “idk though” so you can’t be held responsible for whatever happens and that most of life’s questions can be answered with “what can ya do?”
    
Kenz – thank you for always working hard and having such a fun and bubbly personality which always made practice that much more enjoyable.
    
Moe – Moe Moe T!!!!! Every time the ball is going towards you I know I need to get to my spot because you’re for sure going to pass/dig a perfect ball (killin’ it). I’m so happy we have gotten closer this year and I know that you’re always someone I can count on. I can’t wait to watch you lead this team next year!
    
Maddie – I don’t think I would make it through half of setters without your positive energy all the time. You bring a spark to this team that is irreplaceable. You’re also one of the sweetest people I have ever known and this team is lucky to have you. I’m proud of you for cutting back on the sorry’s this year maybe cut back on more next year? Keep showing everyone what hard work is!
    
Murbs – when I first met you I think you intimidated me so much but I can’t imagine the past three years without your sarcasm, humor and dedication.  Stay hilarious and keep showing everyone up in the weight room!
    
Britt – you’re such a talented athlete and I’m glad I got to play with you for two years! It’s been fun to watch you slowly come out of your shell and yell things at us, seriously, we love hearing you yell. Never forget that we will always complete each other and I can’t wait to watch you run this team for the next two years!
    
Sara (aka Syrup or SPS) – the sail you CRUSHED against Hamline is probably my favorite play in my entire volleyball career. You have such a great personality and can make me laugh just by being around you – keep those abs, all six of them.  
    
Clare – thank you for subconsciously inspiring me to be a better person each and every day. Not only are you an amazing DS you are seriously so kind hearted and I am a better person just from knowing you. Sorry you and Cass always end up hearing me call myself old – its just the truth.
    
Cass – I’ve really enjoyed playing with you this year and am glad I’ve gotten to know you better! It’s going to be fun watching you continue to develop and grow and lead this team the next few years – but take care of that dang shoulder girl or you’re going to be calling yourself old soon too!
    
B, Brandi, Ci, Glo, Leah and Jordyn – everyone is going to tell you to not take these next four years for granted and they’re right. But also never let volleyball become something you have to do – you get the privilege of playing this game and get to create friendships that you will have the rest of your life. You’ve all grown so much this season alone and I can’t wait to see you all develop and watch you kill it!
    
I would not be where I am or who I am without so many influential people in my life and no amount of thank you’s will express the amount of gratitude I have. I’m so lucky to have had so many amazing people by my side through this crazy journey and can’t wait to see what the future holds for us all.
    
Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal.