Volleyball seniors say goodbye to the wolfpack

Sarah Szigeti

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The Pack is down a few wolves after three key-players on the women’s volleyball team donned their Maroon and Gold jerseys for the last time.

Lauren Brand, psychology senior, Becca Burnett, environmental business senior, and Tiffany Walker, political science senior, were honored on Monday night after playing their final game in the Den. The Pack played neighborhood rivals Xavier University and had a clean sweep, winning in the first three sets.

The Pack took off with an early lead, not falling behind once in the first set.

The second set was a much closer battle, as the Pack had to wrestle for the lead with the Gold Nuggets.

The third and final set followed in suit, with the scoreboard tying up on six occasions. When Loyola finally took the lead, they received their final point on an attack error, courtesy of Xavier.

Walker said that the win was only a bonus, because that was not the point of the game. In fact, it was about something much more important, she said.

“I really didn’t care if we won or lost, I just wanted everyone to give everything they had, and they did. I couldn’t have asked for more,” Walker said.

However, the excitement didn’t come alone, according to Burnett. She said she could feel the support of the younger players, which created some nerves.

“It was nerve-wracking at first, definitely, just because I feel like there was a lot of pressure on us seniors to play our hardest, and I think we did,” Burnett said.

The three seniors became very close during their time playing together, and Walker said that has shaped her four years here as a member of the Pack.

“I think as a trio, we’ve been through a lot in these four years, a lot of ups and downs. But I think the way we’ve handled it speaks volumes to our character, and I’m just really proud to be seniors with these girls,” Walker said.

The women said that the key to their success, both on court and off, is the chemistry within the team. Brand, who led the team on offense with 11 kills, said chemistry is hands-down the most important piece to their puzzle.

“Our team chemistry has grown so much over the last four years. Leaving this group of girls, I couldn’t be happier. This couldn’t have been a better end in terms of team chemistry,” Brand said.

Brand said that senior night left her with so much love in her heart and that she only hopes it continues tri-fold even after the seniors are gone.

“I hope the girls take with them that at the end of the day, when you give it your all, good things happen,” Brand said. “There’s nothing better than coming on this court everyday wanting to play. And I think we’ve shown that.”