Nov. 19, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Before taking the court for their final regular-season match of their Santa Clara careers, the volleyball team's graduating seniors checked in with SantaClaraBroncos.com to share their fondest memories as a Bronco and notes of thanks.
In my time at Santa Clara, I have gained so many great memories with my team, friends, coaches, trainers, Jesuits and professors. One of my favorite volleyball memories was going to the Final Four in 2005. Although losing to Nebraska was unfortunate, the experience is like nothing else I have gone through. Next to this memory would have to be the matches against Stanford and Arizona at Stanford that same year. I will miss the competitive play and the friendships I have made with my teammates. Playing volleyball has truly taught me more than anything else I have ever done and has given me the opportunity to meet amazing people.
I would like to thank my teammates, coaches and trainers for everything they have done for me on and off the court. You have all helped me to grow in more ways than one and I appreciate that. Part of the reason I chose Santa Clara was because it is close to home. I wanted my family to be able to watch my games and for me to be able to be around my sisters in these important years of their lives. I am so thankful to have been able to go home when I have needed them and when they have needed me. They are the most important people in my life and I owe much of who I am to them. Brittney and Allison, you girls have been to almost all of my games and I appreciate all of your support. Thank you Christina, Mattie, Tommy, Grandpa and Grandma Hawaii, Uncle Mike, the members of Curious George, and all of my other family and friends for also being there. Last, but certainly not least, thank you Mom and Dad. You both are amazing parents and I love you more than I can write. I hope that I have a family of my own someday as great at the one that you two have created and that I display the love and support that you both show our family and me.
Santa Clara University has given me memories I will remember forever, a great athletic and academic experience, and incredible friendships. I hope that everyone that attends here will have as great of a time as I have.
GO BRONCOS!
-- Nichole Clark #7
When I sat down to write my "Senior Postcard," I was sitting in our new beautiful library, after an amazing meal and night of tie-dying with team. I was trying to conjure up memories of the amazing experiences that I've had at Santa Clara in the last 4.5 years, and I was finding it really difficult to really express everything that comes to mind. Therefore, I've broken it down into several memories by year:
Freshman year: running eight 8's in a row, and me passing out during the 3rd one (wimp!!). Living in Casa, where I would meet some of my best friends in the world. S'mores at the beach house. Sleepwalking in Hawaii, and trying sushi at the Luxton's. Learning which side to put the antenna on (thanks Jac!) and, of course, off season.
Sophomore year: Sleeping on the comfy purple couch at the Walters', and the ropes course experience. Playing at Brown in front of my East-coast family and friends. Puxy's pillowy hands, Rachel's "All I Want for Christmas," Cassie's 2s, and Thanksgiving at the Leaf's. Playing four amazing matches at Stanford before GOING TO THE FINAL FOUR.
Junior year: Living with Megan Pura, which could fill a book in itself. Danger-walking. Playing at Texas, going to Notre Dame with our soccer girls. Stadiums and two minute plank holds with JT serenades. Playing soccer to warm-up, and Michelle heading it in for a goal.
1st Senior year: Hawaii for the second time, and exploring Diamond Head with Nichole. Florida and the 20-minute run. Watching Crystal and Caroline do amazing things (shatter dig records, be named WCC POY as a setter!) and wear their Santa Clara jerseys for the last time. Lindsy Evans becoming Lindsy Davigeadono! Dusty saving my life in Minneapolis (thanks for that!!).
2nd Senior Year: Getting to play with an amazing new group of freshmen, and Morgan carrying on the Doherty tradition. Learning that Nina and I are actually related through Uncle Nestor and Aunt Olga. Going to Napa with the team and practicing at my high school. The ride home from LBSU. The mountain climber matrix and rabbit hops!
It's impossible for me sum up the experiences I've had, the people that I've met and the impact they've had on my life... My coaches have become my mentors. My teammates have become my sisters. The friends I've made are now my family, and Santa Clara has become a second home. Thank you to my amazing parents, and the parents of my teammates and friends who have opened up their homes, hearts and refrigerators to us over years. It's been a dream to be a part of such an amazing group of people and I can't say thank you enough.
Peace, Love, and Tie-Dye!
-- Anna Cmaylo #15
When looking back at my career here at Santa Clara, I have so many amazing memories and experiences that come to mind. One of my favorite memories would have to be going to the Final Four my freshman year. The games that led up to the Final Four and the Final Four experience were life changing. Beating Stanford and Arizona were some unforgettable games. Another favorite memory was beating Pepperdine at Pepperdine my junior year. It was a very intense battle and I think it was the only time I have ever started crying after a win. It was such an emotional game because it was to win conference. We had over come so much that season so to win was such a great feeling. Off the court though there are so many great memories as well. Pregame dancing and singing will always bring a smile to my face. Since my freshman year, "All I want for Christmas," by Mariah Carey, was our team song and it will always remind me of Santa Clara Volleyball. We would all sit in the team room and sing it at the top of our lungs. Also, team bonding trips were so much fun: river rafting and ropes courses. The bonding that I experienced with my team is priceless. The friendships that I have made over the past four years will stay with me forever. I have made some of the best friends I have ever had. All of the team jokes and inside jokes between my friends and me, I will remember the rest of my life.
I would like to thank my family, the most important people in my life, for everything that done for me the past 4 years here at Santa Clara. First I would like to thank my parent, Jerry and Kathy, for all of the love and support they have given me while here at SCU. They came to a majority of my home games and it really meant a lot to me to have my family there. I would also like to thank my sister, Chelsey, for coming to a lot of my games while she was in high school and even as a freshman at University of San Francisco. Next I would like to thank my grandparent, Butch, Liz and Grace, for always being there for me and supporting me in my time here. Also, I would like to thank my Aunt Lucy, Uncle Mike, and cousins Julia and Claire for being some of my biggest fans while here at SCU. I would also like to thank Chris and Denny Condon for their love and support over the past 4 years. Finally, I would like to thank my family here at Santa Clara, my team and my coaches. My team has been my family here and I wouldn't trade them for the world. They have made my time here at Santa Clara unforgettable. Thank you also to our amazing fans!
Being a Bronco has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Wearing the Santa Clara jersey for the past four years has been an honor and privilege. My time here has fl own by so I would recommend to all current and future Broncos, cherish your time here. Love every moment of it because when it's finally over, you're going to miss it. Take the opportunities you are given and run with them. You only get four years here so work hard every day and make the most of them. I love you girls and thank you for everything! Go Broncos!
-- Brittany Lowe #1
First, I'd like to thank my parents. I'd like to thank them for always believing me and supporting whatever I do and the choices I make, without them I'd be nothing. I'd also like to thank my coaches and teammates for helping me find my way through volleyball, school and life.
I have two favorite moments from my time here with the Broncos. My first would be the experience of going to the Final Four, especially being able to share it with my sister, Puxy. And my second moment would be being able to play in front of my home crowd and family at Hawaii.
A lesson I have learned during my time here and I would leave my teammates with is, to never take anything for granted. Always work hard for anything you want and always stay positive. Thank you to everyone I've met along this journey, you have only made it better!
Love always,
-- Michelle Luxton #6
I have had an amazing experience playing for the volleyball team at Santa Clara. Some of the best memories come from freshman year when our team won conference, beat highly ranked teams like Arizona and Stanford, and made it to the Final Four! Going to San Antonio was such an amazing experience that I will remember for the rest of my life! Along with that, there are so many memories from hanging out with the team, dancing in the locker room, pregame rituals and telling funny stories that always gave us a good laugh before practice. Anna Cmaylo always knew how to lighten things up with her crazy-leg dance moves to get the team pumped to play!
Playing as a Bronco I learned so much, especially never to give up, and that anything is possible as long as you work hard and believe you can win. There were many times when the odds looked like our team would not be able to succeed, however, as a team we never lost the fight to win and came out of those situations victorious.
I would like to thank my family, friends, coaches, teammates and fans who have all helped make this such a wonderful experience and have really helped me to become the athlete that I am today. I am going to especially miss all my teammates because we had so much fun together, and have spent so much time with each other over the last four years!
"I Set, I Set, I'm Taylor!"
-- Taylor O'Brien #17
