Jordan Karst and Rachel Yezak, both seniors at Nicholls, reflected on their experiences playing for the volleyball team throughout their years at the University.

Both of the ladies agreed that although it was a tough season at times, they are still proud of what they accomplished. For example, the Colonels went on a 13-game winning streak during the beginning of the season.

“It was very exciting,” Karst said. “I wish it would have lasted longer, but I am still very proud of what we were able to do.”

Karst, a business major who played setter, moved from Woodstock, Ga. to play for the Colonels. She admits it is very different here compared to her hometown, but she has enjoyed the experience.

“It has definitely been a culture shock, but I love it here” Karst said. “A couple of other schools tried to recruit me, and I am very happy that I made the choice I did.”

The Georgia native said that she did not know what to expect when she came in as a freshman but quickly learned what it took to play for a college team.

“I learned from the older girls, and through the learning experience we have become very close. We are basically a family, and we spend a lot of time together.”

Karst said that overall she was happy with how the season went, even though there were disappointments at times. Her teammates and she were discouraged that they did not make it to conference this year, however.

“I really wish we could have made it to conference, but I still have no regrets,” Karst said. “We made it to conference every other year I’ve been on the team, and at least I have that.”

Yezak, a public relations major who played right side hitter, hails from Houston and said that she first heard about Nicholls because there are several teams around her hometown that are also in the Southland Conference.

“I like it here because I am not too far away from home, but at the same time, I am just far enough,” Yezak said. “I was also offered a scholarship, so I had to take advantage of that.”

Yezak also did not know what to expect as incoming freshmen to the volleyball team. She said that having played other sports throughout her life, however, prepared her for the challenge of playing a college sport.

“I was ready to take on anything,” Yezak said.

When asked if there were ever any distractions from volleyball, the Houston native admitted that as a freshman it was difficult to concentrate at times, but the older members on the team got on the younger players backs.

“They sure brought us back to reality and made us realize what we were here to do,” Yezak said.

Yezak said that she would not have changed anything that happened throughout her years playing for the Colonels and supported this by saying, “everything happens for a reason.”

Her favorite memory playing for team was the senior game this year at home.

“It was the last home game of the year, and there was a lot of emotion going into the game.” Yezak said. “What made it really special to me besides us winning was that my parents and sister traveled to watch me play. That was the first time my sister ever got to see me play also, so it meant a lot.”

Both of the girls said that playing on the team brought challenges as well as rewards. The challenges were having to manage their time with schoolwork and sports. Also, traveling for road games on a tiny bus were not always something that the girls looked forward to. The rewards far outweighed the negatives though, according to them.

“The feeling I would get after a tough win is so awesome, and I know my teammates feel the same,” Karst said.

Both Karst and Yezak plan on graduating in May and are still not sure what they will do next.

“I might stay here and try to get an internship,” Yezak said. “Eventually I want to end up working public relations for any business in Austin.”

Karst also is still undecided.

“I am thinking about graduate school, and like Rachel, I want to end up working in Austin one day too,” Karst said.