The two seniors on the 2021 Kalamazoo College volleyball team were honored prior to a home match on Monday, April 12. Following is what was read during the ceremony:
Taylor is a Libero from Richland Michigan, who has also been a starter and pivotal member for our program for the last four years. Taylor's volleyball and academic accomplishments include most recently in the 2019-20 season being an MIAA Specialist of the Week, being named to the All-Tournament Team at the Ohio Wesleyan Bishop Invitational, leading the team in digs and service aces and being third on the team in assists. As well she was a key component in her freshman year leading the team in digs and second on the team in service aces.
Over the last four years, Taylor believes she's developed and matured into a young woman that she is definitely proud of. There have been many challenges and changes during her time at Kalamazoo College and they've reinforced her ability to adapt and grow when faced with obstacles. During her time at Kalamazoo College, Taylor has used her experiences with a diverse group of personalities to develop her leadership skills and better understand her role as a teammate.
Taylor says she will miss the rush of adrenaline she gets on game day most, and the buzz of excitement in the gym during a close match. She will miss her teammates, and the feelings of playing together on the court as one.
If Taylor could go back and tell her baby freshman self a few things it would be to not sweat the small stuff, life won't throw anything at you that you can't handle. Take every obstacle and use it to learn and grow.
For life after college, Taylor plans to become an RN through an accelerated nursing program as a step to hopefully becoming a CRNA someday.
As a teammate, Taylor is a driving force for her team and makes everyone around her feel and play more confidently and comfortably. Taylor is a calm presence on the court that helps us in super tight moments, and keeps everyone on the same page and playing as one.
We will miss Taylor and her sweet smile immensely. We have loved watching her bloom into a bright young adult. Thank you so much for taking the time to celebrate this wonderful human and her accomplishments with us this evening.
Madi is a middle blocker, and a Portage, Michigan native who has been a starter and pivotal member of the Kalamazoo College volleyball program for the last four years. We are so thankful to have her as a part of our hornet family.
Madi's volleyball and academic accomplishments include most recently in the 2019-20 season being named to the All-Tournament Team at Beloit College's Buc Blast and Ohio Wesleyan's Bishop Invitational, the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, and leading the team in kills and blocks. She was a large contributor to team blocks in 2017-2018, leading the team in kills in 2018, and contributing academically by working hard and staying organized in the classroom.
When asked to describe in what ways she grew over the last four years that she was most proud of, she described changing a lot as a teammate. Madi is a very competitive person and over the last four years realized that it's not just about that, but also about the connections and memories. Madi believes she is a much more selfless and motivational person than when she came in, and we couldn't agree more.
When things come to an end it's easy to miss a lot of parts, but what Madi will miss the most are her people and the girls. She plans on keeping her Kalamazoo College family and coaches included in the rest of her life but will very much miss seeing them every day and going through the day-to-day things like practices and workouts.
If Madi could go back and tell her baby freshman self a few things, she would tell her to "Take it all in and enjoy where you are. So often during the beginning, I just wanted to be an upperclassman so badly, but now that I'm here I just want to be a freshman again! Don't take the opportunity to be a part of the team for granted!"
What's next for Madi after college? Madi plans to take a gap year and continue to earn patient contact hours in hopes to either get into an accelerated nursing program or PA school. In the long run, Madi wants to be in healthcare, she loves working with people and wants to just be able to hopefully help them in some way. Madi is one of the most caring athletes we've had, and it shows. She is always the last one to go or do anything because she always wants to make sure others are taken care of first.
As a teammate, her classmate and best gal pal Taylor would describe her as the fiercest competitor she's ever played with, who truly plays with her heart. Madi pushes those around her to get better every day and is an example to others with her actions as well as her voice. She is an unstoppable force in the middle who gracefully showcases her strength while she's playing both physically and mentally.
We will absolutely miss Madi so much, and have seriously loved watching her grow over the last few years at Kalamazoo and having her as an integral part of our program. Thank you very much for taking the time to honor and celebrate this wonderful human and her accomplishments with us this evening. We cannot wait to see what her future holds, and thank goodness she's staying close so we can be a part of it.