As a college student-athlete, there are many moments that you look forward to your whole career, senior night is one of those moments. As someone who has been around college athletes my whole life, senior nights have always held a special place in my heart, whether I was participating in them as a senior, as a teammate, or in the stands. There is something about seeing someone play their final game on their home court that gets me emotional. I think it is because I know that everyone who has made it to their senior night, either in high school or college, has gone through hardships that no one will ever know about to make it to where they are. I always believed that to be true, but now I know it is since I've experienced it. As someone who committed at 15 years old to play for volleyball at Marquette University, walking out onto the court for my last home game 7 years later seemed surreal.
Leading up to big moments there are always expectations for the experience and senior night is no exception. You hope that all your loved ones can make it and that you can leave the court that has been your home for the last four years in peace and satisfaction. This year it was my turn to walk off the Al Mcguire Center Court forever. I wouldn’t consider myself a very emotional person, but as soon as I high-fived our fans one last time, I was in tears. After talking to my family I came to realize soon afterward why I felt this way, and it was because I had put everything into this court, this team, this program. I had overcome more than I ever thought possible because all I wanted to do was be in that gym. I spent the majority of my life preparing to be able to seize this opportunity, and just like it was over. No more starting lineups announced by our commentator Steve, no more pregame dance parties in our home locker room, no more pre-game meals together while watching “Impractical Jokers” while Marvin made us food. It was gone… Yet, something else was let in its place, love and memories.
On senior night, my 6 other teammates' and I were celebrated by our friends, families, and many of our favorite new fans – our Milotso mentees. For three years of my Marquette career, I helped establish Milotso along with several others, including many of my teammates. We had volunteered with the same youth group for over a year, and having the kids in attendance on our senior night meant more to me than I ever thought possible. I told myself when founding the non-profit, that regardless of what its future held, I would feel good knowing that I did what I could to make a difference in the Milwaukee community. Running out on senior night to the smiling faces of our mentees cheering and holding signs for us was the proof. Being able to mentor gave me a new perspective that I didn’t know I needed, and without having this experience with Milotso, not only would my senior night have been less meaningful, but my time at Marquette would have been as well.
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