Senior year is great. Having made good friends over four years, one can begin looking forward to working in the real world soon or playing professional sports. For the Lady Bucs volleyball team, there is only one of those seniors.
Jennifer Sartor from Toronto, Canada was coach Lindsey Devine’s first recruit. “She recruited me when she was informed of her new coaching position,” Sartor said. “Because of this we have a special bond.”
She does not think that the transfer players are less experienced. “Coach knows how to pick her players. She knew what kind of experience she was getting. In fact, we, as a team, have come so far this year,” Sartor said.
Sartor also said that the players work with each other. “Nani sets the ball and I go in for a kill. We are a team and it takes a total team effort to win,” she said.
This team is different from the team she started with. “We are a whole different set up now. Of course with four years of experience, I help the team out with leadership. Next year there will be four seniors also so there will be no loss,” Sartor said.
Sartor started playing volleyball in high school along with soccer. “My mom played volleyball for a while. That is where I picked up the game. It was basically to keep me out of trouble. If I was busy then I wasn’t doing something else,” she said. She has been playing for 16 or 17 years now.
Along with sports, she volunteered with the Special Olympics all four years in high school. “I am a big community person. I enjoy helping them out. It works both ways it seems. I help them, they come and support me. The kids are really nice. In fact, when I go back and visit I get a big ‘Hi Jen!’ from them. It is really sweet to watch,” she said.
After graduating with her degree in sports management, she hopes to become a firefighter. “I had a little experience with fire myself and that just made me curious about saving people and helping them,” she said. “Fires affect people everyday, so I know I can help someone.”
But, before that she wants to play volleyball overseas in a women’s league. “I will definitely keep playing until I am no longer able or my knees give out, whichever comes first,” she said smiling.
The volleyball team is still undefeated in conference and is already guaranteed a spot in the tournament. “It is a nice feeling to just play your games and not have to worry if a loss will knock you out of the tournament. This is a first for us,” Sartor said.
The A-Sun tournament will be held at Belmont University from Nov. 16-18.

Author