University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Spotlight: Seniors Alugbue and Santana
11/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 27, 2015 
In our regular season home finale, the University of Minnesota honored its seniors, Toni Alugbue and Daly Santana in a post-match celebration. Alugbue joined the Gopher Volleyball program this season as she transferred from Notre Dame. Santana has been a four-year starter for the Gophers and ranks seventh in all-time in the Minnesota record books in career kills (1,543). Check out these features, in both their question/answer sessions as well as messages from the underclassmen.
What do you think the next step for you will be after volleyball?
Toni Alugbue: I'm going to finish my grad program in May and then try to play professional volleyball for as long as I can. After that, I'd like to stay involved in volleyball by coaching camps and clinics.
Daly Santana: I haven't thought about it too much since I'm trying to stay focused on the season and go one day at a time. But sometimes the thought of my life after volleyball as a Gopher creeps in a little! I think I want to pursue a career as a professional volleyball player for as long as I can and go from there.
What is your major and what do you want to do with it when you're done?
TA: Sport and Exercise Science, but I haven't decided what I want to do exactly! I want to eventually go into corporate fitness consulting or health care consulting.
DS: My major is youth studies and I have an interest in criminal justice. I will hopefully be working with young people in the criminal justice field. I am graduating next spring, so I will be here in the spring semester taking one last class I need to graduate. I want to help young people who have maybe struggled with the law in their lives, find new ways and create a better future for them while working together.
What has been your favorite memory/favorite part with Gopher volleyball?
TA: There's so many to choose from! Of course I'm going to remember the big wins, but I'm most going to remember all the times spent with my teammates, like our pre-match dance parties or storytelling in the ice baths.
DS: It would definitely have to be creating a culture with this 2015 Gopher team. The chemistry is honestly unbelievable, and as a player, it's hard to find that. This group of players has made such a huge impact in my life and I will keep them with me forever. My favorite experience has been being a part of this amazing group playing in front of so many amazing people. The Pav will forever be my favorite place to play in.
What advice do you have for the younger players?
TA: Enjoy the moment! It goes by so fast, so just soak the whole experience in day by day.
DS: For the future players, the connection part is very important. I think from now on we know the kind of team we want to be and so recreating that year after year will be the job of the people who have experienced and been a part of a high functioning team. They know how it works so they will need to carry that onto other people and share what it means to be a Gopher and a teammate. I would also tell them to enjoy this ride while it lasts because it goes by in a hurry.
What is one thing you'll miss?
TA: I'm going to miss the packed Sports Pavilion on game days. It's been awesome to see thousands of people in the stands support us night after night.
DS: I will definitely miss playing in this great atmosphere. However, what I will miss the most is my teammates who I love very much! They have helped me become a better person. I will miss our great chemistry and having them around day in and day out. They have been my inspiration this season and I will forever be grateful for everyone who is a part of this team.
Anything else you want to say about your time here?
TA: Thank you Minnesota Volleyball for allowing me to be a part of your family! Everyone here has welcomed me with open arms and eased my transition. My last season has been everything I could ask for and more and I am so grateful! Volleyball matters in the state of Minnesota and I will take my experiences here with me for the rest of my life!
DS: Just a huge thank you to everyone! To all the fans who have supported me and this team all my four years, and for making the pavilion's atmosphere a dream come true for me. I never thought I would play in a place like this and it has been an amazing ride. Thank you to the coaches for making me the person and player I am today and another big thank you to everyone who makes sure this team is in great hands behind scenes. You guys are studs!
What do you think the next step for you will be after volleyball?
Toni Alugbue: I'm going to finish my grad program in May and then try to play professional volleyball for as long as I can. After that, I'd like to stay involved in volleyball by coaching camps and clinics.
Daly Santana: I haven't thought about it too much since I'm trying to stay focused on the season and go one day at a time. But sometimes the thought of my life after volleyball as a Gopher creeps in a little! I think I want to pursue a career as a professional volleyball player for as long as I can and go from there.
What is your major and what do you want to do with it when you're done?
TA: Sport and Exercise Science, but I haven't decided what I want to do exactly! I want to eventually go into corporate fitness consulting or health care consulting.
DS: My major is youth studies and I have an interest in criminal justice. I will hopefully be working with young people in the criminal justice field. I am graduating next spring, so I will be here in the spring semester taking one last class I need to graduate. I want to help young people who have maybe struggled with the law in their lives, find new ways and create a better future for them while working together.
What has been your favorite memory/favorite part with Gopher volleyball?
TA: There's so many to choose from! Of course I'm going to remember the big wins, but I'm most going to remember all the times spent with my teammates, like our pre-match dance parties or storytelling in the ice baths.
DS: It would definitely have to be creating a culture with this 2015 Gopher team. The chemistry is honestly unbelievable, and as a player, it's hard to find that. This group of players has made such a huge impact in my life and I will keep them with me forever. My favorite experience has been being a part of this amazing group playing in front of so many amazing people. The Pav will forever be my favorite place to play in.
What advice do you have for the younger players?
TA: Enjoy the moment! It goes by so fast, so just soak the whole experience in day by day.
DS: For the future players, the connection part is very important. I think from now on we know the kind of team we want to be and so recreating that year after year will be the job of the people who have experienced and been a part of a high functioning team. They know how it works so they will need to carry that onto other people and share what it means to be a Gopher and a teammate. I would also tell them to enjoy this ride while it lasts because it goes by in a hurry.
What is one thing you'll miss?
TA: I'm going to miss the packed Sports Pavilion on game days. It's been awesome to see thousands of people in the stands support us night after night.
DS: I will definitely miss playing in this great atmosphere. However, what I will miss the most is my teammates who I love very much! They have helped me become a better person. I will miss our great chemistry and having them around day in and day out. They have been my inspiration this season and I will forever be grateful for everyone who is a part of this team.
Anything else you want to say about your time here?
TA: Thank you Minnesota Volleyball for allowing me to be a part of your family! Everyone here has welcomed me with open arms and eased my transition. My last season has been everything I could ask for and more and I am so grateful! Volleyball matters in the state of Minnesota and I will take my experiences here with me for the rest of my life!
DS: Just a huge thank you to everyone! To all the fans who have supported me and this team all my four years, and for making the pavilion's atmosphere a dream come true for me. I never thought I would play in a place like this and it has been an amazing ride. Thank you to the coaches for making me the person and player I am today and another big thank you to everyone who makes sure this team is in great hands behind scenes. You guys are studs!
Players Mentioned
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