“So Smart and So Pretty”

For the past four years, UNC Women’s Club Volleyball has been a huge part of my life at Carolina. I remember going into tryouts as a freshmen being extremely nervous and intimidated by all the upperclassmen. Basketball was always my main sport growing up, and I started playing volleyball in high school following in the footsteps of my sister. I kind of randomly decided to continue volleyball in college and here I am, four years later with two years of being President under my belt. Needless to say, I don’t know how I’m going to adjust to not having practices during the week, tournaments every other weekend, and dealing with all of the responsibilities that are involved with being President. We recently went to Dallas, Texas for the 2013 NCVF National Championship tournament, and the whole experience just felt different as a senior from the past three years. At the end of our last game, it hit me that it was all coming to an end. It was an amazing trip, and I am so proud of how both teams performed.

Let’s be honest, managing a large group of ladies definitely has its challenges. From the varying opinions and attitudes, I have learned that it is impossible to make everyone happy all of the time. As a leader it is important to make the decisions that have to be made with the best interest of the entire organization in mind. I would not trade everything I have learned and the friendships I have gained from being a part of this team for anything.

Being a part of this team has taught me so much about being a leader, a member of a team, and a friend. I always jokingly congratulated my teammates after a good play by saying, “You’re so smart and so pretty!” But I have realized that there is so much truth in that statement. I have had the honor of getting to know the most intelligent and beautiful, inside and out, women I have ever encountered. “Volleybonding,” as we call it, with each and every one of them has been an absolute privilege and I am genuinely going to miss them on and off the court.

Tonight we are having our final team dinner and are holding elections for officers for next year. So as I step out of this role and into a completely new one post-graduation (yikes), I just wanted to let all of my “so smart and so pretty” teammates know how much I appreciate you and have enjoyed being your president, your teammate, and your friend. I hope I have made even half of the impact on you as you have me.