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| From left to right: Hilda Deible, Meghan Scanlon, Megan Walling, and Ruth and Katey Crichton on Senior Day 2012. |
Volleyball – to most
it's a silly game, but to me it signifies opportunity.
For 25 points at a time my
world stops. The sidelines are one place that always make me realize
that my disability cannot and will not define my life. It's like for a few
moments nobody can place limitations upon me.
I'm a firm believer that
life isn't about all the things you may never accomplish. Instead,
life is about all the opportunities you have in front of you. Even
for someone with those beliefs, it was hard see opportunity out a
court. Especially, knowing I will probably never walk out on it.
It wasn't until I spent
eight years with the Grand Valley State University volleyball program
that I even began to understand the magnitude of the opportunity that
was front of me.
Cerebral Palsy may alter
the way I approach a volleyball court, but it doesn't alter the magic
that is college sports. Throughout the past eight years, Laker
volleyball has given me the opportunity to experience so many things
that student-athletes treasure.
From afar, I experienced
the thrill of a national championship, two Elite Eight appearances, a
Final Four run, and the milestone of notching 1,000 program
victories. More importantly though, I gained a whole new family.
People always ask me if I
ever imagine what my life would have been like if I could have played
volleyball. While I have thought about it a time or two, I think more
about how much I would be missing if things had turned out
differently.
If things were different,
I would be left without the friendship of 61 student athletes, an incredible coaching staff, and countless families and alums. I would be left without the
memories of long road trips, tailgates and all the little things that
come along with being part of team. Those are things I wouldn't
change for the world.
When I first started this
journey, I was simply a fifteen-year-old trying to find a way to stay
involved in a game I love. Rolling into the Fieldhouse Arena back in
2005, I never expected that one head coach and one program could
change my life. I was wrong.
In sports and in life
there are so many opportunities. Every time you step out on the court
you are presented with chance to play for something bigger than
yourself. You represent your family, friends, hometown, school and
all the people along the way that helped you get where you are today.
Thank you to each and
every person who has been or is currently involved in GVSU
volleyball. Throughout the past eight seasons you couldn't have been
a better example of what it means to play for something way bigger
than yourself.
To the players that have
competed from 2005-2012, whether it was for one season or five, you
have all impacted my life for the better. You have reinforced my
faith that athletics can bring about opportunities in many different
forms and gave me a chance to experience a little piece of Laker
volleyball in a way I never thought possible. I am forever grateful
for that.
THANK YOU!
Abby Aiken (2011-2012)
Danielle Alexander
(2005-2008)
Janelle Beaudry
(2007-2008)
Ashley Blaszczak
(2009-2011)
Grace Burns (2010)
Stephanie Camper (2012)
Christina Canepa
(2011-2012)
Stacey Catalono
(2010-2011)
Allyssa DeHaan Clark
(2011)
Katey
Crichton (2005-2009)
Tina
Tromblay Doran (2005)
Abby
Ebels (2009-2012)
Sacha
Gill (2010-2012)
Cortney
Lokker Goodale
(2005-2006)
Kaity
Gormley (2006-2009)
Carley
Gross (2012)
Megan
Helsen Hamilton
(2005-2006)
Lauren
Hanson (2005)
Lindsey
Bayle Hardley
(2005-2006)
Erica
Vande Kopple Heimforth
(2005-2007)
Kelly
Hogan (2005)
Lyndsey
Holt (2011-2012)
Andrea
Hyames (2010-2011)
Brittney
Jackson (2010)
Cailie
Johnson (2010-2011)
Ann
Kendzicky (2007-2009)
Tracy
Kirk (2005)
Jessica
Knysz (2008)
Olivia
Kohler (2009-2011)
Krysta
Kornack (2006-2010)
Alisha
Laing (2012)
Kaleigh
Lound (2012)
Sara
Lowe (2007)
Jessica
Majerle (2012)
Stephanie
McCarthy (2006-2007)
Courtney
McCotter (2007-2011)
Allyson
McKnight Riley
(2005-2007)
Mackenzie
Mitzner (2010)
Traci
Baker Mostrom (2007)
Audrey
Oake (2012)
Briana
Usitalo Paul (2006)
Sam
Phillips (2009-2012)
Jamie
Ashmore Pott
(2005-2008)
Rebeccah
Rapin (2007-2010)
Lauren
Reber (2005-2008)
Rachel
Rohlfs (2008-2009)
Betsy
Ronda (2012)
Clair
Ruhenkamp (2011-2012)
Meghan
Scanlon (2006-2010)
Megan
Schroeder (2011-2012)
Ally
Simmons (2011-2012)
Meghan
Moore Slater
(2005-2006)
Abby
Storm (2009)
Whitney
Tremain (2008-2009)
Eno
Umoh (2008-2012)
Leslie
Curtis Veneman
(2007-2010)
Megan
Walling (2005-2008)
Josie
Werner (2012)
Nicole
Whiddon (2008-2011)
Alyssa
Wolfram (2011-2012)
Meredith
Young (2006-2009)
