Diary

Katrina Damasco

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December 9, 2005

My volleyball career here at Emory has been amazing. I have been on the best teams, I have had the most amazing experiences, and I have come away with many stories, and most of all, great memories.

Freshman year I came in to this program not knowing what to expect. I was nervous, but mostly anxious. I remember the first practice of my Emory career, we were playing a game, and I remember just playing my heart out. I knew I had competition for my position, however, I did not know who my competition was. I soon discovered my competition was a previous All-American at Emory, Amy Hyman, and a Division I transfer Lulu Sewell. It was at this time I realized that my freshman year was not my time just yet. However, I had an amazing time my freshman year. I cheered my heart out on the sidelines and played with everything I had every time I had the opportunity. My first Halloween with the team was on the road. Instead of practicing in our costumes, we traveled with our costumes. After this year, I knew I had to step up my costume game. Kat dressed up as a cat was not brilliant enough. This year I learned a lot about myself, about the team, and about how Emory plays volleyball. I learned that fear is only going to get in one's way of success. That lesson was learned in the UAA Championships. It was only emphasized in the Regional Championships. Emory was the underdog in both matches. Fear of losing to both of these teams cost us in the end. I remember the end of our season so vividly. It was my eighteenth birthday. I was seventeen the entire season. That was embarrassing because I was the only one who had to send my forms home, have my parents sign them, and fax them back. Anyways, we played on my eighteenth birthday. We lost that day. I don't remember crying so much on my birthday. It was funny, yet so saddening.

Sophomore year was an exciting year. I had worked so hard in the spring and the summer. I was determined to start. Sophomore year was when I learned a lot about myself. I learned that there was still a lot I had to learn about the game. We had an amazing season this year. We may not have won our conference this year. However, we beat Trinity this year in the Regionals and we hosted the quarterfinals. I will never forget how packed the stands were that night. It was the biggest crowd I had ever seen at an Emory Volleyball match. The feeling that night, stepping out on the court is unforgettable. The team was amazing, we all played great. We won advancing us to the NCAA Final Four. Going to the Elite Eight was a first in Emory Volleyball history. NCAA Final Four was simply icing on the cake. Where better to go to the Final Four than California. That was so much fun. It was held at the University of La Verne which is, literally, fifteen minutes away from where I live. Having the team over for dinner was amazing. They got to experience how festive my neighborhood gets for the Christmas season. Although we did not do very well in the Final Four tournament, participating in it was rewarding in itself.

Junior year was loads of fun. We had four amazing seniors, great underclassmen, and a chemistry that is unforgettable. On a personal level, it was a trying year. I was always sick or injured. This made it a very frustrating year for me. However, I learned a valuable lesson. There is a reason why volleyball is a team sport. An Jenny had such a deep talented team for a reason. When one is down, there is always someone to step in. This was a wake up call in two ways. I learned that I volleyball is a team sport and the weight of the team is distributed equally among its members. I also learned that I need to work harder and play harder if I want to keep my spot. I remember reaching a level of frustration that made me question myself and volleyball. Luckily, I had great support to keep me in the game. Thanks to all that support, I was able to move on and have the senior year of my life.

Senior year is irreplaceable. Although we lost four amazing seniors, we had great underclassmen to step up to the plate. We had a whole new personality. It was hard for me to accept that this was my last year. I was a senior captain this year! Four years have flown by. I swear just yesterday I was a freshman. We had our winning streaks and a few losses. We changed our game from a 5-1 to a 6-2 and back to a 5-1. We had some injuries and some sickies. However, in the end, we were still all one team. We had a whole new attitude this year. "ONE TEAM. ONE HEART. ONE DREAM." is the motto we lived by everyday. We were one. It did not matter who were the seniors or who were the freshman, we were all one as equals. We all had one goal in mind. We all had one dream. It was this that carried us to a very successful season. The biggest glory came in when we won the UAA Championships and we're also NUMBER ONE in the country! We went on to Regionals and won then as well. On to Salem, VA where the Elite Eight and Final Four was held.

In my four years in Emory's volleyball program, I have grown in so many ways. I have learned so many valuable lessons; I have learned how to be a good follower, and a great leader. I have learned the true value of a team. I have grown to be a better, stronger, but most of all, a smarter player. It is doesn't matter how hard you hit a ball, it matters how smart you play the ball. A kill is a kill. A win is a win. A loss is another lesson to learn. You cannot go out with regrets as long as you give it your all. Fear is your worst enemy. Instead of fearing, rise to the occassion and stare fear in its face and beat it before it beats you. If there's one thing I can leave with those who follow me, it would be to simply HAVE FUN! You get so frustrated when you're thinking too much. You play your best when you're having fun. Volleyball is a game, so have fun with it!

Katrina is a senior from Glendora, California. She would love to answer e-mail questions from Emory recruits and fans.