By: Abbey Pardue
As the fall volleyball season comes to a close, both fans and teammates will definitely have one to remember. With great wins against Howard Payne, McMurry and Belhaven Universities, the 2023 season is certainly one for the books.
I had the privilege of getting an inside scoop from Lauren Sullivan, a junior biology major from Frisco. “Overall, this season went well both on and off the court,” Sullivan said. The team made it to the ASC conference tournament and ended up finishing in 3rd place. Although they lost to the regular champs, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB), they had a clean sweep against LeTourneau (LETU) in the quarterfinals
. “Along with the success we had this season on the court, we also grew a lot off the court both as a team and a program. We grew a lot closer with one another over the course of the season and really bonded as a team.” According to Sullivan, the team dynamic is unique, all of the different personalities fitting together to create a fun atmosphere on and off the court.
To prepare for games, the team would practice serving and passing balls a few hours before the game. They also take this opportunity to get hyped up and mentally prepared for the match. After this time, they go get their hair or treatment done, which is a fun experience because they all get to match. One of Sullivan’s favorite memories was getting to have crazy hairstyles for their conference tournament this year, filling their locks with purple hairspray, glitter, ribbons and tinsel.
When asked about what life is like as a student athlete, Sullivan said it, “definitely is not easy.” There are some crucial elements involved, such as good time management, responsibility, and passion for the game. However, almost all student athletes could agree that their positions are incredibly rewarding. For Sullivan, this sport has provided her with friendship, lasting memories and excitement for the new season. Sullivan said that her tenure as an athlete has been completely worth all the time and effort, especially because of the meaningful relationships she has gained from the experience..
With all of these wonderful things happening on our sports teams, we cannot wait to see what next semester brings. Go Cowgirls!