What life lessons have you learned during your time on the team?
SS: As a freshman I learned to manage my own time and create a new social environment for myself. I also learned the value in different perspectives of the people around me and how to make those groups come together to work for a similar goal or purpose. Lastly, I have learned that there will always be ups and downs and it's how you choose to look at the situations for where your memories will be.
AL: Playing the role of leader and captain on the team has been both rewarding and humbling. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that leadership isn’t about always having the answers but rather about being willing to support and uplift those around me. The challenge of balancing accountability with empathy taught me that strong leadership means understanding individual strengths and bringing them together for a collective purpose. At times, it’s been tough to make decisions that not everyone agrees with, but I’ve learned that staying true to our values and goals ultimately brings respect and trust. The most rewarding part has been watching my teammates grow—seeing them push through difficulties and succeed has shown me that the impact of good leadership extends beyond my role, leaving lasting effects on the team as a whole.
LH: It's actually part of the five core principles of our team culture, but I'd have to say that perseverance is my number one lesson. There are numerous times in my career that I've been knocked down, but it's about learning to get back up, dust myself off, and try again the next day. This program has pushed me further than I thought I was capable of, and I'm incredibly grateful for that because it's made me into the athlete, student, and individual that I am today. I've learned so much about myself throughout these four years, and it's perseverance that's driven me along the way. It motivates me to work my hardest because the girl next to me is working her hardest, and to believe in myself because everyone else believes in me.
RM: During my time on the team, I have learned many life lessons, but the most valuable are: 1. Passion, Courage, Conscientiousness, Perseverance, and Resilience will lead you to success if you choose to embody them. 2. Always leave things better than you found them. Do everything with such great intention and devotion that you can leave the moment or place better than you found it. 3. Coach’s door is always open. 4. Time really does fly by when you are having fun. 5. Sometimes you just have to dance it out.
What is the best thing about playing volleyball at Holy Cross?
SS: Community service opportunities, discipline, playing the sport I love at the collegiate level, teammates, and the competitiveness of a fighting spirit.
AL: The best part of playing volleyball at Holy Cross has been doing everything possible to shift the program toward consistent success in the future. We play in a tough conference, and the wins have not come as fast as we hoped, but being part of a team committed to changing that narrative has been incredibly rewarding. Each season has been a step forward in building a foundation of resilience, work ethic, and a winning mindset that can carry the program forward. Knowing that I’ve helped lay the groundwork for future teams to continue this upward path makes every challenge worth it. We’re not just playing to win games today; we’re playing to establish a legacy of excellence that future Holy Cross players can build on.
LH: The people by far. I am so blessed to have been surrounded by people all four years who love and care for me so deeply. I have coaches who not only want the best for me as an athlete, but also as a student and a person, and I have teammates who are genuinely my best friends. HCVB has given me the best support system I could've ever asked for- they are truly the reason that I love it here so much. They are the people who have my back on my hardest days and are the first to celebrate with me on my good days. Not a day goes by that I'm not thankful to have found a program who loves me for me.
RM: The best thing about playing volleyball at Holy Cross is the people. This team is not just a group of girls working together to play volleyball; we are a family that has gone through every up and down together and refuses to let anything break us apart. From the moment I joined this program to the last moments I will have here, I knew that I had a family that I chose to love and who chose to love back.
