Women's Volleyball Players Share Aspirations as New Season Begins
Sha'Kera King
On the weekend of Sept. 1, 2017, the Spartan women’s volleyball team traveled to the Lake Forest Invitational and played to bring home as many wins as they could. They play hard in every game to build character and to “love, support and serve each other,” as Captain Dakota Stanichuck, junior, says.
To make sure the team is doing everything they can to win, according to Assistant Coach Sarah Kimm, they practice Monday through Saturday for two hours to work on things that they feel they could improve on for the next game.
Kimm not only attended Manchester and received a minor in coaching in 2016, but also played volleyball. Paulsen completed 960 kills to rank in the top five in program history due to three seasons of 200-or-more, including a highwater mark of 343 as a first-year; 68 service aces; and 66 blocks, as she accounted for better than 1,000 points.
Kimm’s experience as a player enables her to offer the team important advice. “Learn to let things go after you make a mistake, let it go and keep playing,” she tells them.
Stanichuck is originally from Detroit, Mich., and began playing volleyball at age seven. "Coming here was different,” Stanichuck states. “I didn’t know anybody here and I had to make new friends in a different environment,” she said. She had to learn time management skills because she was involved in other things, such as yoga and Philosophy Club.
“If you’re not first, you’re last” is something Stanichuck’s family always told her in a joking way to let her know to never give up and try her very best at everything she does, which is why as a captain she makes sure the team stays unified. “Teamwork is the key to success,” she states. Stanichuck is a double major in marketing and sales; after college she plans on going into pharmaceutical sales and opening non-profit organization for abused kids.
Hannah Tevis, junior and co-captain, has been playing volleyball for 12 years and is supported by both her parents and an old coach who really pushed her to become the best. In high school her team always used the quote “VOLLEYBALL FOREVER” because they knew this was something that they wanted to continue to do as they continue in their lives.
With being a captain, Tevis had to learn how to adapt to different obstacles, like the different coaching styles and how high school volleyball was a little tougher. “College volleyball just requires more techniques," she said. Tevis is also involved in the Business and Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club while majoring in business management and minoring in sales and entrepreneurship.
Senior Ally Roskos has been playing volleyball for 14 years. Over the years of playing volleyball she had to learn mental toughness which is why she lives by the quote, “I’m not expecting perfection, just excellence.” While being one of the seniors on the team, Ally acts as a positive role model, and thinks before she acts on the court because she doesn’t want to make the wrong decision.
Her favorite memory from volleyball is “straightening her coach’s hair,” which got a laugh from her other team members. How does she deal with losing a game? “Learn from your mistakes and use that to grow,” she said.
Being a violinist, volleyball player, exercise science major and being involved in United Sexualities, she one day wants to become a Turbo kit instructor, volleyball coach and/or a chiropractor.
Anna Marie Lawrie, sophomore and co-captain, has been playing volleyball for 12 years and has faced many physical challenges. She broke her ankle in six places her senior year in high school, which still affects her. During that hard time in her life she was greatly supported by her family, especially her father, who wants her to become the best she can be.
As a captain she tells her teammates: “If you want to go faster, go alone; if you want to go further go together.” She participates in the College of Business Club and Catholic Club, loves her puppies and is majoring in business management. One day she wants to become what she describes as a “successful businesswoman who lives on the coast.”
Lauren Gandhi, first-year, is entering college from high school and experiencing how different life is. She faced some challenges being here, such as “having to balance sports with school and taking it all in with being new.” Gandhi has 10 years of experience playing volleyball and had the same coach since she was 13. Her coach always told her: “You don’t cry in the gym; you wait until you get home and cry in your pillow,” words that have helped her become stronger and better.
She also participates in Pre-Professionals of Science, American Chemical Society and Catholic Club. How does she find the time to do these things and study? “I am a scheduling person," she said. "I utilize my planner by making a schedule and sticking to that schedule I also minimize my distractions.” In the future she wants to become an occupational therapist that specializes in geriatrics.