Everyone who knows me probably knows that I'm not the most touchy-feely emotional person they've ever met. Just because I'm not much for telling everyone how much they mean to me, that doesn't mean I don't hold love in my heart for everyone who has positively affected my life as a result of being a part of SMUVB.
I remember when I was a freshman and I was introduced to the concept of “senior salutes,” I immediately started thinking about what I wanted to put in mine. Even in my freshman year, I could think of dozens of stories I wanted to put in mine. I wanted to remember our van ride to Chicago, when we got retweeted by NCAA Volleyball for our burrito picture, Macki and Bunne doing everything in their power to stretch out their jerseys before gametime, and so many more that all these years down the road I struggle to recall sometimes.
I wish I could tell freshman Molly a lot of things (primarily, don't break your hand on Molly Grover at St. Kate's and sit in denial about it the whole weekend until the x-ray tech at urgent care tells you, “Oh my god, you completely shattered it.”) I wish I could tell myself about all the friendships I would gain, all the highest of highs and lowest of lows that come along with an athletics career, and I would tell myself to savor every second of it. I would tell myself that I would get the chance to have so many more memories and moments with this program that would eventually become like family to me.
Even as a write this, I hope that I'll be able to hold onto every precious second I still have left. I couldn't have made it to this place without incredible individuals pushing me and supporting me at every turn.
First off, I want to thank my family, especially my parents. You drove me to almost every tournament, every tryout, sat through god awful fourth grade volleyball, cheered me on through middle school and high school, and now make the drive down to Winona for almost every single one of my games. You are both so generous with your time and energy, and I can't tell you how much it means to me that you have been behind me this entire time.
I'd also like to thank a few of my coaches who made me an athlete who was able to compete at a collegiate level:
To Morgan Betker: the lifting coach I never knew I needed. I never would have made it through Raider Edge without you pushing me and giving me confidence even though I was often the only girl in the program. You helped me realize sports are far more mental than physical, and your physical game is always going to be dependent on how you condition yourself mentally. That's a gift I cannot thank you enough for.
To Tom Dobbs: I swear you made me practice thumb up thumb down until I thought my arm was going to fall off, but I need to thank you for that because it's helped make me a successful hitter. You also taught me so much about the game as a whole, not just my position. We always joked that you had a rulebook inside your brain, and I'm so blessed that I got to reap those benefits.
To Rick Kuehlwein: You gave me the opportunities I needed to get recruited at my top choice schools. I am so thankful for that, and I hope I've made Raider Volleyball proud.
At Saint Mary’s, I've had a wonderful experience, and I have so many people to thank for my athletics career.
To Coach, Jackie, and Rhode: Thank you for giving me the chance to play and improve my skills, and giving me support both on the court and on the softball field. When I was touring as a freshman, this was the only school I visited that was receptive to me playing two sports. I'm lucky to have you all in my corner.
To Bill and Jill: Thank you for putting up with my “denial first, ask for help later” way of dealing with my injuries over the years.
To Matt Sagar: First off, sorry for almost biting your head off when you stopped my squat max out your first year here. I couldn't have asked for a better lifting and conditioning coach to take me through my collegiate career. Your enthusiasm for your job is unmatched, and your dedication to your athletes floors and humbles me every day. I am lucky that we get to take advantage of your knowledge, even if some of us still question the benefits of external rotations. Even though I hated almost every second of conditioning, I thank you for every hill sprint, every morning workout, every quarter, and every hot lap. I don't think I'm ever going to be a stamina runner, but you got me pretty darn close. You take athletes and you make them into competitors, and I can't thank you enough for that.
To my former teammates: I am so blessed to have had each of you in my life. Every year, we manage to be an assemblage of zany, hilarious, fantastic people that I am so fortunate to have known.
Bunne and Lexi: You were the seniors who introduced me and my classmates to Cardinal Volleyball. Both of you had so much talent and were such great leaders. I'll never forget Bunne's “You rent Mexican food more than you buy it, you know what I'm saying?”
Mary, Molly, and Janae: I can never NOT think of Mary Nordick whenever we say “Middles on the far court with Rhode” or “Give yourself some space.” I always looked up to Mary, given that she was 6'3” and I was a measly 5'10”. M.G. Rover, a wonderful human being and incredible leader (with the biggest volleyball hands I've ever seen) with such a huge heart. Janae inspires me daily with taking her smarts to med school; and she also introduced me to one of the most crucial assets to my college career—my favorite Erb's and Gerb's order.
Macki, Jordan, Tay, Lex, Alex, Jenna, and Emily: I feel like I could write novels for all of you. Since that probably won't fit in the Gameday brochure, I'll try to be brief. I thank God every day I was able to share three years with you all. I've never met a group of people with such kind souls, incredible wits, and determined hearts as you seven. You were the leaders of the team, the ones who picked us up between sets when they went badly, or pumped us up even more when they went well. Jenna's iconic “Turn the knife” still plays a part in our team huddles. I still laugh over the holes in the elbows of Lex's jerseys. We still remember Emily's impressions, particularly “Salamanders! Salamanders everywhere!” I still get a kick out of Jordan's, “Why is your nickname Murbs?” after three years of knowing each other. I miss Tay's infectious laugh, Macki's unbelievable athleticism and hilarity. You left a such a legacy, one that will be felt long after all of our teammates are gone.
Macki—I have never met a better athlete in all my years of playing. Seriously, how did you do it? I'm glad I never had to compete with you on the softball field, because I feel like you would've been scary. I am so proud that you achieved so much in your collegiate athletics career. No matter how many awards you get, I don't think it'll ever encompass what an amazing player you are, not just as an athlete, but as a teammate. It was a joy to play next to you and watch you get amazing kill after amazing kill. Now you're teaching America's youth, and I can't think of anyone I would rather have doing so.
Jordan—You inspired me to endless laughter. You have so much talent, it looks effortless even in the most dire of circumstances. I never felt more at ease than when you, Lex, and Moe were anchoring our defense. I was also fortunate to share a major with you, and joining in those late nights in the Joe's computer lab will forever be some of my favorite memories. You have such a gift for volleyball as well as art and graphic design, and I can't wait to see how far you will go.
Tayler—Having you as my setter for the two years I started with you was fantastic. You are one of the most talented setters I've ever worked with, and you always had this way about you that made me feel at ease on the court. Even if I felt like I was having a bad game, you always made me feel otherwise. You are hilarious and warm and generous, and I can't tell you how much your friendship means to me.
Lex—You are an incredible athlete, and by far one of the best liberos I have ever played with. Some of your digs were unbelievable. You're not just a natural at volleyball but also as a leader. Whenever I felt like we had a bad set, I would always look to you afterwards to refocus us and get us amped up for the next part of the match. You're also so fun, funny, and caring, and I am so blessed to be able to call you a teammate and a friend.
Alex—You are such a tremendous volleyball player. You had this presence on the court that was unlike anyone else I'd ever known. I am so, so lucky I was able to count you as a teammate. Watching you play is so amazing, and playing next to you was even better. I admire you so much for not letting your ACL injury stop you, and you came back the next year just as strong as you were before. Even off the court you astounded me with your work ethic and dedication to your studies. You deserve every success.
Jenna—Getting to play volleyball with you for as long as I did was an absolute blessing. You've taught me so much about volleyball and shown me new ways to look at fundamentals, and I can't thank you enough for that. I told coaches once that playing next to you was like having a coach on the court. I'm so glad you were able to continue your career with volleyball. Any program would be lucky to have you!
Emily—You were such a fun teammate. You always knew how to lighten the mood at practice or how to make the team smile. I was so happy you decided to stay on as manager your senior season. You are completely irreplaceable! I'll never forget your stories (DELLA!) and your impressions. Even looking back now, it still puts a smile on my face. That you stayed so dedicated to the team PLUS managing your education commitments PLUS planning for grad school is incredible to me, and I hope this year I can manage half of what you did!
To my current teammates:
Claire—You have come so far since freshman year. I can't wait to watch you kick butt and take names next year, too!
Tara—You blew me away! You have so much skill and so much determination to make your goals become reality. Your unique swing is going to frustrate teams next year!
Sara—My fellow middle and salty partner, you were the first freshman middle when I became a sophomore, and I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW SORRY I AM FOR BLASTING YOU IN THE FACE DURING YOUR FIRST PRESEASON. I apparently don't do warm welcomes very well. Despite my apparent desire to concuss you, I'm so glad you decided to stick around. You're an amazing player, and I can't wait to see how you'll get even better next year.
Britt—You have hands unlike any I have ever seen! It seems like some of your sets defy the laws of physics. You've had an amazing career, and I can't wait to see what lies in your senior season!
B—My other middle child, you and Leah are going to fill my shoes so well when I'm not around next year. It's been amazing to watch you improve over the last two seasons. Next year is going to be amazing! Make Connie proud! I know I already am.
Leah—My other middle child, I am so proud of how far you and B have come. You have a ton of natural talent, and your skill is only going to keep growing. Keep killing it with your quick feet and fast swing. You're a hard middle to beat, that's for sure!
Brandi—You're an amazing athlete, and there are only great things coming up for you in the future. It's almost like you're Macki 2.0: rocking fall and winter sports with ease! Kill it with that “farm girl strength!”
Glo—There better be more murdahs in Winona with all the stuff blocks you're going to be getting. You have developed so much this season, and you still have so much more time! I can't wait to see what your future seasons are going to look like.
To our freshmen, Laura, Lilly, Hayley, Bailey, Hailey, Lexi, and Gabby: You all still have so much ahead of you. I've been privileged to watch each and every one of you improve yourself or the team this season, and I'm so lucky to have been given such a quality group of freshman to induct into SMUVB. There are tons of memories we can pull out for this salute (the airport all-nighter, powering through pasta as Buca di Beppo, all the road trips, getting to go to Pennsylvania, hanging out on the weekends) but the great thing about your stories is this: it's all just beginning. You all still have three more seasons past this one to make memories. New groups of freshmen to bring into the fold. More laughs and fun and that sense of belonging you have when you're a part of Cardinal Volleyball.
Words can't describe how much I'll miss it. I'll hold onto the memories that you all have given me and use them for boundless kindling when times get tough. I can only hope that Maddie, Moe, and myself have left a legacy like our seniors have left us every year.
Speaking of my two classmates—I've said it before and I'll say it again: I couldn't ask for better teammates to have shared the last four years with. You two are like family in every sense of the word—we might not see each other every day (outside of volleyball season), but I have faith that either of you would be there for me at the drop of a hat, and I know I would be there for you both too. You both are the epitome of what a good teammate looks like. You both are so team-oriented—it's always what can I do for the team, never what can the team do for me. You ladies are also the greatest captains ever and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather share this responsibility with.
Maddie—your positivity inspires me. The way you see things on the team is an outlook that all athletes should have. You work just as much, if not more, for your team as you do for yourself.
Moe—I can't imagine the back row without you. You work so hard and know the game so well. It's been a joy for me to play in front of you.
There are a lot of great quotes out there about teammates, but I think I like this one from Karla Moriel the best, “If I didn't have good teammates like them, I wouldn't be giving my best.” You ladies make me want to give my 110% every day during practice, during lifts, and during games. I cannot ask for more than that, and yet somehow I still get it. You're not just great teammates in the gym, you're wonderful people and amazing friends outside of it. I'm so blessed to have both of you in my life, and I am richer for having known you.
Graduating is a horrifying concept for a lot of reasons—namely, you know, adulting—but a big reason why leaving Saint Mary’s behind is going to be one of the hardest things I've ever had to do is because graduating means saying goodbye to the family I've found here. Saying goodbye to the seventeen girls who have become like sisters to me. Saying goodbye to a program that has kept me excited for the beginning of every school year because it meant practices, games, road trips, tournaments, and getting to spend at least a couple hours a day with a group of phenomenal people.
All right, touchy-feely emotional time is over. I hope you enjoyed it, because it probably won't be happening again any time soon.
