Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

College is a complete whirlwind. I cannot believe the time has come to write my senior salute. Twelve years sounds like a long time, but it has really flown by. The hundreds of hours spent in the gym and weight room, early mornings, late nights, sore bodies, the countless roadies, the best memories, and the best of friendships are all owed to this game and to so many people who have supported me throughout this journey.
    
First and most importantly, I want to thank my family. Dad, you have always been my rock: “Breathe, Believe, Battle”. You have never missed a pre-game good luck text or a post-game wrap up text. You have always been the best listener for all my vent sessions and for our phone calls never being less than forty-five minutes. Mom, thank you for always being my biggest supporter. You would move mountains to make as many games as you could, from my first JO tournament in fifth grade, to my first varsity match in ninth grade, to being six hours away from home my freshman year of college, and then only an hour away for my last three years of college. Without the two of you, my career would never have been possible and I thank you both from the very bottom of my heart for all the sacrifices you have made to get me where I am today. Grandma, your spirit and support have not gone unnoticed. I cannot thank you enough for coming to every single one of my home games in high school and making the countless trips down to Winona with dad to watch us. I can only hope to give half as much spirit, love, and support as you do.
    
Tor, thank you for being the best little sister I could have asked for. You are one of the hardest working and committed people I know. Thank you for all our great memories and countless hours playing together from elementary through high school and for putting up with me harping on you as a big sister (I promise, I was only trying to help!). Thank you for being there and supporting me throughout my injury last year. Not being able to play against you last year while you were at St. Kate’s was one of the most emotional days of my entire life. It was a day we had been looking forward to since the day you graduated high school. Although I wish you were still there so we could have played each other TWICE this year, I am so happy with the decision you made to sacrifice two years of your eligibility to put school and your career first, being in the nursing program at RCTC. It’s crazy to think that we are both ending our volleyball careers in the same year. I’m so proud successful you become in the years ahead!
    
To my roomies: Kenz – Our life story is one of my favorite stories to tell. We’ve played against each other in three different sports and been rivals since fifth grade. That rivalry sparked a friendship as we progressed throughout high school. Then came college and our (now) hilarious Facebook messages and posts about our misery, leading to our transfer, and becoming roommates for three years and teammates for two. I could not have asked for a better person to share this journey with. You have been an amazing best friend!
    
Shelby – You’re one of the most fun and carefree people I have met and I’ll never forget one of the first nights that you, Kenz, and I hung out. My paper didn’t get finished because stuffed our faces with Toppers sticks and pizza and just talked the entire night. I wouldn’t want anyone else to be such a bad influence on me because they all led to the best memories and most fun nights. I know I can always count on you to have my back and will always tell it to me straight. I have had the most fun living with you these last two years (especially getting to steal all your sweatshirts). Thank you for becoming one of my very best friends!
    
Throughout my volleyball career here at Saint Mary’s, I’ve been fortunate to have had some pretty great coaches along the way. First, I would like to thank Coach Mike Lester for giving me a second chance to play here, even after I bailed at the very last possible second to get out of southeast Minnesota and head up north to Bemidji State. To this day, he won’t let me live that down, but I think we really owe the thank you to head women’s soccer coach, Neil Cassidy for getting his hair cut by my mother three years ago and having the conversation about my transfer. Without that haircut, things may have ended very differently! I also want to congratulate Coach Lester on his twentieth season with the Saint Mary’s volleyball program. He’s done great things along his journey, and I hope we can make his twentieth season the most memorable! Thank you for everything these last three years Coach!
    
Jackie – Thank you for everything you have done for this program and us these last three years. I am so happy I have gotten to know you, and there are truly some days that I don’t know what I would do without you. You were with me every step of the way through my injury and recovery, and your insights really got me through. I’m really going to miss having you around to go on a Culver’s run when I feel like my life has completely fallen apart. You’ve taught me so much on and off the court and I am forever grateful!
    
Rhode – I cannot begin to thank you enough for everything you have done for me these last three years. I know I can be a bit of a head case sometimes and can be extremely hard on myself, but you always knew how to pull me back up on my feet and help me get mentally back in the game. Whether it was a reference to one of your silly shows, one simple sentence, or a deep conversation that we needed to walk numerous laps around the track for, you were always able to tell when there was something up and you always knew how to bring me back up. I truly don’t know what I would have done without you these last three years. Thank you for all the laughs and support Rhode!
    
As a transfer, I was really nervous about being accepted and bonding with the team. Within the first week, I discovered that I had absolutely nothing to worry about, and I owe much of the to the upper classmen. Bunne – I knew you from playing against each other in high school, but once we worked camp together and ordered Dominoes, I knew we’d be just fine! Lexi – I would have done anything to have another year with you as my setter. There is always that one setter you connect with, and we had it. You are one of the bubbliest, cutest, goofiest people I have ever met and I am so grateful for the year I had with you! Ooooh kill ‘em! G-Unit (Molly) – Thank you for having slightly bigger feet than me, so I didn’t feel so quite out of place with skis as feet. You always had great work ethic and were a great role model. Mary – You were a great asset to our team and I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to play with you. Janae – Thank you for always being there to help me with all my homework! Your passion for the game and support for the team never went unnoticed!
    
To my fellow seniors, when did this happen?! I could not have asked for a better group of girls to spend the last three years playing with. Bae (Lex) – Naturally, you had to come “before anyone else”. But really, you’re my person. I cannot imagine what my life would be like without you in it. There is no one else I would rather jam out with, snuggle with, cry with, or have spent the last three years getting to know. I know that our friendship will last a lifetime, no matter where we end up after May. I watched your individual practice during spring season on my visit freshmen year, and I knew I had to play with you. You are one of the hardest working people I know, and it has paid off. Love you! Jenna – I am so happy that you chose to come back for a fifth year. There is no one that has more passion and dedication to this game and to this team than you. Seeing how much work you have put in and the success you have had this year is incredible. Tay Tay – You’re a natural leader and have been great to play with these last three years. I love how our friendship has grown and always having you for our life talks and always counting on you to eat a sickly amount of ice cream with me. I’m really going to miss you next semester, but I know you’re going to be so successful. Jord – There is never a day that you haven’t made me laugh and I have loved having you as a teammate and friend, even if you forgot our sleepover during M Club junior year. ? Emily – You’re the hardest working student I know. You set goals, and will not settle for anything less and that is going to take you so far. There is no way I would have a clue what to do in life or school if it weren’t for you. You’re going to make an amazing physician’s assistant and be extremely successful! You’re the only person I know who can purposely trip themselves with out getting hurt. Macki – I knew we were going to be great friends the first day I met you at camp the summer before sophomore year. The shoes and style sealed our friendship and I knew you were cool. You’re one of the most talented and humble people I have ever met. I’m so glad we became the great friends we are, and no one can peer pressure or push me like you can. Thanks for all the great times 24!
    
To the juniors, I’m lucky enough to have spent three great years playing with you ladies as well! Moe – I am so happy to have met you and have had the opportunity to play with you. You have grown SO much in the last three years, and you’re going to be so successful next year on the court, and in life. Don’t let anyone take that away from you or hold you back from what you want in life. Maddie – I have never met someone who is so polite and genuine. You have the biggest heart out of anyone and definitely did not deserve that concussion I gave you. I promise it wasn’t personal! Just business. ? Molly – You have been so much fun to have as a teammate. You’re a killer middle and have so much fire and drive on the court. Don’t lose that!
    
To the sophomores, I am so glad that I got to play with you all! Sara – No one could pull off the hillbilly tooth like you did! You’re so much fun to be around! You’ve developed SO much in the last year, and I cannot wait to see how you continue to grow. Britt – The loud mouth of the team… or the exact opposite. I am so grateful to have had a setter like you for the last two years! I’m so excited to see how you progress and take control of the offense in the next two years! Clare – Your work ethic has been inspiring. You are such a sweet person and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you these last two years.
    
To the freshmen, I cannot stress enough how fast these four years fly by. Cass – Luckily, you get an extra year to play! I have really enjoyed playing with you the last two years, and I’m happy we’ve gotten closer this year! You’re a very talented hitter and I’m excited to see what the next few years have in store for you! Brandi – B-ball Brandi! I am so, so happy you came to SMU. Thanks for being such a good sport with Macki and I picking on you all the time. You’re an unreal outside, and I am so pumped to follow you throughout the rest of your career. You’re going to kill it, and be extremely successful! Can’t wait to support you during basketball season! Brittney – B! You’re one of the sweetest and goofiest people I know. I am so happy I’ve gotten to know you this year! I secretly wish you’d forget your shoes again so your mom will make another pan of Special K bars… ? You’re going to develop so much as a player and you’re going to excel both on and off the court! Ciara – You’re one of the smartest hitters I’ve played with and you’re always in high, positives spirits. That’s something that not all of us have, and you’re really going to bring that unique dynamic to the team throughout your career and keep having fun! Jordyn – I’m grateful to have you as a fellow outside! Keep up your confidence, and you’re going to have a very successful career! Leah – My fellow Falcon. I’m so happy you chose to come to SMU and you have no idea how excited I am to watch you grow through your career. You always have a positive energy and you’re going to be so successful! Glo – I have had so much fun getting to know you this year. Once you finally came out of your shell, you’re one of the funniest people I know. Even though, you constantly give me the infamous “Glo glare” … if looks could kill. Keep working hard and keep up your confidence. I’ve loved playing with and against you in practice. You’re going to go far!
    
Finally, to our fans – thank you all for coming out and supporting us! Having the support and energy from you all really helps drive us on the court, and it’s exciting to show you all what we’ve been working so hard for! We know how busy our lives are with homework, practices, work, etc., but you all found time to support us and we’re grateful! Thank you!
    
Cardinal volleyball has taught me many life skills and I am forever grateful for having the opportunity to be a part of such a great program and meeting so many great people along the way. Without you all, I wouldn’t be where I am today and I owe it all to you guys. Thank you SMU for all the great memories the last three years and the team that turned into a family. I love you all!