Gray discusses life as player, possible coach
By Michael Skinner/ Student Publications
Lindsey Gray hits back a ball. She is one of the three seniors that is currently playing on the team. She hopes to stay involved with the sport of volleyball after graduation, even in another capacity like coaching.
Senior Lindsey Gray has aided her teammates in crucial plays throughout the past four seasons. She has dug the ball out of the pocket in the home court multiple times and positively impacted the team and the fans. Breaking out of the grasps of her athletic tenure is a monumental situation that Gray faces at the end of the season.
"We're like the 'old ladies'. I would say to [the newer players] that everything seems to go so fast and just appreciate everything that you get to do while you're here and the time that you get to spend because every time for us now is a last," Gray said.
Through strong efforts during team practices, games and tournaments, Gray has shared leadership tasks with the other two seniors. Their hard efforts have certainly paid off. The Jackets have won the conference title, surged on undefeated winning streaks against conference teams and made a trip to the Elite Eight. Gray hopes to make the best of her senior year by exemplifying a true player with talent and intense dedication.
"We're willing to do whatever it takes because...we're for real and the one thing we really want is the gold and white NCAA banner...We want everyone to appreciate the time and cherish it," said Gray.
As a back-row and outside hitter, Gray has been at the forefront of digging the team away from tough balls that come onto the home court as well as performing massive serves towards the opponent. Furthermore, she has led the team in service aces in the past two seasons. Nevertheless, Gray does not dwell on past monuments but truly looks at the present-day status of the team and how they fare for the next match.
"You have to focus on every game individually, and you can't look ahead... and just take it one at a time and take care of business each time and if you do that then good things will happen for you. And we all keep telling ourselves that: One game; one will; we have one job to do," Gray said.
She wants to push the team harder than ever before. Furthermore, the senior hitter credits her coaches for their active leadership roles and mentoring.
"My coaches aren't just coaches to me but also friends. They're people whom you can go and talk to because they're going to help you figure it out; if you have a funny story, then they're going to be there to listen; if you need guidance in something, they're there to help you because they've been through it before. So, I can into a great program with good people, and I'm leaving with good things from it," Gray said.
Gray has been very inspired and hopes to become a volleyball coach someday. In fact, she is on the works to lead a local youth volleyball team in the spring.
"It would be fun to coach, because part of me thinks that playing wise, I'm done with the game but emotionally and mentally, I'm not done...I want to carry on everything that [the coaches] have taught me and be able to help someone else. Coaching is about passion, so if I had the opportunity to do that, then I would jump right at it, but that's long ways away," Gray said.
Before she can continue taking heavy course loads at Tech and even begin her coaching career, Gray still has much mentoring left for the second half of the season. Gray pushes the team harder than they have ever gone before; she is determined to make the most of her last year.
"I look at the younger girls now, and I know that they're going to be so good and I look at the other classes coming in. [The newer members] have just so much to work for and they have so much to get done, and it's right there for them," Gray said.
