'Sader Stories: Volleyball Senior Reflections

The Holy Cross volleyball team is set to compete in their final home match of the 2025 campaign this weekend taking on Patriot League opponent Lafayette (Saturday, Nov. 15 - 6 p.m.) in the Hart Center Arena. Saturday is Senior Night and the program’s two seniors, Katie Russell and Gracie Reisman will be honored for their contributions to the program in a pregame ceremony. We checked in with the senior student-athletes of this year's team to find out a little more about their time on The Hill.

What are your best memories of playing volleyball at Holy Cross?

KR: Some of my best memories have been the various travel trips I've had the opportunity to go on. However, my favorite moment from this year was the win over Loyola during Parents' Weekend.

GR: My best memories playing volleyball at Holy Cross are the moments that happened off the court. The travel trips, locker room dance parties before games, and pre-season team bonding activities are some of the experiences I’ll always cherish. Getting to travel to amazing places like Southern California, Texas, Florida, and Army and Navy academies was definitely a highlight. More than anything, I’ll miss playing alongside such an incredible group of teammates, people who were united by a shared motivation to make the program stronger than it’s ever been.  

What kind of mark do you hope to have left on the program after your career is over?

KR: I hope I have set an example of how a student athlete can successfully balance athletic performance and dedication, rewarding campus leadership roles and high academic achievement.  

GR: I hope to leave behind a mark defined by growth, collaboration, and purpose. I want to be remembered as someone who not only contributed to the program’s success but also helped create a supportive environment where others felt encouraged to do their best. More than individual achievements, I hope my legacy reflects teamwork, leadership, and a commitment to making the program stronger for those who come after me.

What life lessons have you learned during your time on the team?

KR: Keep believing in yourself, no matter what obstacles are in your way. Success isn’t easy to achieve, but believing in yourself brings you one step closer to it.

GR: One of the biggest life lessons I’ve learned during my time on the team is the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. Going through a major knee injury and reconstruction surgery taught me how to stay patient, positive, and persistent, even when things don’t go as planned. That experience showed me the value of hard work, gratitude, and mental toughness, and it reminded me how much strength can come from the support of teammates and coaches who believe in you.

What is the best thing about playing volleyball at Holy Cross?

KR: The Community! I love having my professors, classmates, and athletic administrators come to our games and cheer on the team. Feeling the support from the entire Holy Cross community is a unique experience I will never forget. 

GR: The best thing about playing volleyball at Holy Cross is all the opportunities the college has given me to grow: both as an athlete and a person. Being part of this program has pushed me to reach new levels on the court, while also surrounding me with teammates, coaches, and professors who truly care. Holy Cross has opened doors I never imagined, and I’m so grateful for the experiences, relationships, and lessons that will stay with me long after my time here.

What are your plans after graduation?

KR: I plan to attend law school. 

GR: After graduation, I hope to either continue playing using my medical redshirt year and achieve a masters in Environmental Sustainability, Planning, Clean Energy, or Policy, or enter the workforce in the clean energy or environmental policy sector. I also hope to attend law school and pursue a career in environmental law. I’m passionate about protecting the planet and ensuring that policies around sustainability and justice are fair and effective. My goal is to combine my love for advocacy and problem solving to make a meaningful impact in the field, and to carry with me the discipline, teamwork, and resilience that volleyball and Holy Cross have taught me.

What will you miss the most after your career is over?

KR: Volleyball has been a large part of my life for as long as I can remember.  The amazing teammates, coaches, and supporters I have had the opportunity to work with over the years will be forever in my memories, and I will miss them every day. I will definitely miss all the fun memories I have had with the team over the years and, of course, the mini mic videos. 

GR: What I’ll miss after my career is over are the people and the everyday moments that made being part of Holy Cross Volleyball so special. I’ll miss the energy of practices, the laughter in the locker room, and the feeling of stepping onto the court with teammates who became like family. It’s those small moments of connection, hard work, and shared purpose that I’ll carry with me long after my playing days are over.

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