 I'm a middle blocker for the CCU volleyball team and this year I'm really excited because I was given the opportunity to be the team chaplain. I started playing volleyball in sixth grade. At first I just played it because all my other friends are playing it but as I got older and had different coaches I realized that I really loved the team aspect. That volleyball isn't a solo sport. You have to have a cohesive team that works together and builds relationships on the court and off the court. As a chaplain I organize devotionals before every single practice. I'm responsible for the spiritual growth of our team. I try to check in with every girl how they're doing spiritually and with their walk with God and I really feel blessed to have been chosen to be in this role. I feel that being a student athlete has really prepared me for my life after college especially in my desires to go into the medical field. Having to work with other doctors and patients I feel that being on a team really helps me with that. It's taught me a lot about how to manage not only my time but my friends and my schoolwork. Practices are really intense. Our coach makes sure that we are preparing for our games ahead in that week as well as working on things we struggled with in the past games. Through volleyball God has really taught me about relying on him rather than on myself. If I relied on myself then I would fail in every aspect of my life because I'm not strong enough to take on the responsibilities that he's given me without his strength. Throughout my career as a volleyball player I've learned more and more about the fact that God wants us to honor him through everything we do and so every time I step on that court I realize that I've been given the opportunity to glorify God through a sport through volleyball and I feel blessed to have that opportunity. Every other year the CCU volleyball team goes on a missions trip. We are preparing to go to Costa Rica this summer and the NCCA has given us much needed funds. I've never been to Costa Rica and I'm so excited to spend time with my teammates and build relationships and share the love of Christ with whoever we meet.