The women’s Raider volleyball team season is coming to a close. With three seniors on the team, they begin to say their heartfelt goodbye to the sport they have grown up playing and loving. Seniors Ryann Kanable, Allie Gunn, and Jordin Kauffman have certainly left their impact on the Mount Union volleyball program. 

The Raiders are set to finish out their season at Capital University on November 1st. The Purple Raiders have a current record of 10-16. With only one game of the season left, Kanable mentioned how the team’s goal is to “just enjoy what we have left. I want everyone to cherish what we have and play hard every day. We need to show up every day for ourselves and each other to achieve any of the goals we have set at the beginning of the year.” College flies by, and Kanable recognizes the importance of showing up and cherishing every day. Kauffman also mentioned how she is ready to cherish the time she has left with her teammates and cheer each other on. 

College athletics, especially at the Division III level, are played for the love of the game. These three seniors have dedicated the past four years of their lives to playing college volleyball. Gunn reflected on what Mount Union volleyball has meant to her: “Playing volleyball at Mount Union has given me the greatest memories, the best friends, and a family for life. Not every day was easy, but getting to make memories with my teammates and accomplish our goals together made it all worth it. From early morning practices to travel trips to crazy wins, every moment has been so special because of the people I got to experience it with! I am so grateful for the lifelong friendship, lessons, and unforgettable moments UMUVB has given me.” Beyond volleyball, Mount Union has brought these three seniors together and bonded them in a way some can only dream of. The seniors have become best friends and will cherish the memories they have made together during their time with Mount Union volleyball.  “Mount Union volleyball has taught me so much about myself and given me my bestest friends ever. I got to play the sport I love with the people I call my best friends every day. Four years ago I was scared to go to a new place 2.5 hours from home, but today I don’t regret a thing. This has been one of the most stressful yet rewarding things of my life. I have learned to show up every day like it’s your last, and hard work can really pay off,” said Kanable. 

Volleyball at the division three level allows you to have a bond with your teammates that is hard to find anywhere else. “Our team is super close on and off the court; this allows us to motivate each other during practice and games, especially in hard moments. We are so supportive of each other; whether you are on the court, on the bench, or injured, we push each other to give our best every single day. We can always have fun whether it’s a long bus ride, a hard practice, or a travel trip, which makes every moment so special,” stated Gunn. A team means more than just winning and losing; a team becomes another type of family. I have had the privilege of witnessing the bond between these teammates, and it is truly something special. The way the girls interact and laugh with each other on and off the court is something many teams can only dream of having. “Our team has been so fortunate to get along with one another and become so close. No one ever brags about if they’re playing. Whether you’re playing or on the bench, it is such a fun experience. The best part is when we have our dance parties in the locker room before we go upstairs to warm up,” mentioned Kauffman. A team that can have fun with each other on and off of the court is a team worth being on. 

As their senior year is almost at the halfway mark, and their volleyball careers come to a close, the three seniors look back on how the past four years have impacted them as players and as people. “These last four years have impacted the way I handle the little things. I have learned to have a ‘goldfish’ mentality and not sweat the little things. I have gained a new perspective on hard work, teamwork, and handling adversity. I have pushed myself every day to be the best version of myself on and off the court. I have also learned better time management skills and incorporated rest with a busy schedule,” said Kanable. “Mount Union volleyball has impacted me in so many ways as both a person and a volleyball player. As a person, learning lessons about perseverance, teamwork, and mental health. Being able to push through hard challenges and lean on my teammates while also taking care of myself. As a player, I’ve grown in confidence and leadership as I have learned how to represent something way bigger than myself. Being a student athlete can definitely be challenging, but the people and memories make it all worth it,” stated Gunn. “I will be forever grateful to have continued my volleyball career at the collegiate level. I always struggled going back to school, and it was amazing to know that when I did come back to Mount, I could see my family. As a person I learned how to manage my schoolwork during the volleyball season. Being a student athlete takes a lot of physical and mental toughness, so having supportive friends by your side makes the tough times easier,” exclaimed Kauffman. 

Volleyball is more than a sport to these three seniors; it has become a part of their lives and helped shape them into the incredible women that they are today. Kanable, Gunn, and Kauffman will be missed on and off the court and have left a lasting mark on Mount Union volleyball. If you know a senior, hug them a little tighter and let them know how proud of them you are.