Marquette University Athletics
Head Coach Laura Farina Diary
10/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 6
It has been quite awhile since the last diary entry. My staff and I are very wrapped up in the growth and development of this team which means I put off the diary entry responsibilities. Now, there is so much to write about!
Update on the season. We have had a very successful October. We have won 11 of our last 15 matches. We had a player named C-USA Player of the Week. We have a lot to look forward to.
Sunday, November 4, marked senior day, our last home match of the season. Mehgan Devine, Tarah Beyer, and Vesna Grbavac competed for their last time in Marquette Gym. Presents, flowers, standing ovations and their parents are part of the festivities. To be honest - I much rather that we competed well and won than have the celebration. I believe they feel the same way. Losing hurts - there is no other way to put it.
On Tarah's locker is a sheet of paper that reads: Why We Play
It's not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted or making Sportscenter. It's a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates and for the guy in our calculus class we don't even know. We don't practice with a future Twins first baseman, we practice with a future sports agent. We don't lift weights with a future Olympic wrestler, we lift with a future doctor. We don't run with a future Wimbledon champion, we run with a future CEO. It's a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand. Sometimes we play for 2,000 fans, sometimes 25. But we still play hard. You cheer for us because you know us. You know more than just our names. Like all of you, we are still students first. We don't sign autographs. But we do sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams and student body petitions. When we miss a kick, or strikeout, we don't let down an entire state. We only let down our teammates, coaches and fans. But the hurt in our hears is the same... We train hard. Lift, throw, run, kick, tackle, shoot, dribble and lift some more, and in the morning we go to class. Still the next day in class we are nothing more than students. It's about pride in ourselves and in our school. It's about our love and passion for the game. And when it's all over, when we walk off that court or field for the last time, our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside we are very proud of ourselves. We will forever be what few can claim: college athletes. (Authour Unknown)
That is so appropriate for Tarah to have on her locker because that is who she is. She loves to play and has had to work harder than most to be on a collegiate roster. That pride, the standard of excellence, and her confidence will continue to be strengths after she leaves Marquette. She has real talent - or intangible characteristics that push her to improve mentally and physically daily. She will continue to step up at the end of the season - I just know because she is reliable and consistent.
Nothing is on Mehgan Devine's locker for me to copy in this diary but that best describes Mehgan. She is a quiet leader. She has worked to make herself into one of the best middle blockers in the conference. It was not easy, it was not always fun, but what it has been is rewarding to continue to watch her develop. She, like many seniors, recognize that she wishes she would have put forth the effort/intensity earlier in her career. Just when they start to figure out the simplicity of being a student-athlete - they graduate!!! She has taken to heart the whole concept of the interconnectedness of a team - much like the interconnectedness of a family. She is such a good example on the court and off the court for others to follow. I trust her and her intentions.
Vesna is having a quality senior season. Like most good athletes, those who are able to assume more roles on the court because of their talents do that so that the team achieves. No questions, no tally marks of fairness, no concerns, just compete. She has made a remarkable comeback after being sidelined with a shoulder injury last year. The effort she put forth in the spring and especially during the summer shows now in her senior season. As we go into the final push of our season - her experience on the court is priceless.
A lot more to write but this is already lengthy. I think I should just leave it as the tribute to the seniors.
Go Marquette
