University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Spotlight: Sarah Wilhite
11/25/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Feature written by Athletic Communications student intern, Rachel Timmerman
Sarah Wilhite is having a career year in her final season as a Gopher.
Week after week, the outside hitter earns Big Ten awards, and is the only Big Ten player to receive Big Ten Player of the week three times this season. Wilhite leads the team in kills, and is second in service aces and digs. She is also currently second in kills per set in the Big Ten.
Aside from the physical game, she has taken on a bigger role as a leader on the team.
"In comparison to other seasons, I have been more of a consistent player, both in execution and energy," Wilhite said. "As a senior, I have had more of a leadership role on the team."
Taking on a bigger role this season would not have been possible without the help of her teammates, she said.
"I am a strong believer than I have the best teammates in the country," Wilhite said. "The success I have had this season would be nothing without them. I have embraced my role as a leader and continue to work at being consistent. This year, I have played with a lot more freedom ââ'¬" freedom from pressure and expectations. I have loved every second of being a part of the 2016 team."
At the start of last season, Wilhite missed a few matches due to an injury. But commitment to the game and making a change helped her return and start this season stronger than ever.
"Throughout last spring and summer, the team worked really hard on and off the court," Wilhite said. "We were committed to getting stronger, getting faster, and improving our skills. I expanded my hitting range throughout the spring, which has carried over into this season."
Wilhite has also improved her game mentally.
"Over the last four years, I have seen tremendous improvement in my mental game," she said. "Each year, I have grown more confident as a player. I have also improved my offensive range and serve receive."
Whether she will continue playing volleyball after college is still being decided. Wilhite will graduate December 2017 with a degree in physiology, with plans to attend PA school in the future.
But she will always be thankful for her time with the Minnesota volleyball program.
"This program is unlike any other," Wilhite said. "Minnesota has some of the best coaches in the country. I advise my younger teammates to take what the coaches say and make a change."
Growing up so close to the U, the Eden Prairie native has had full support from her family all four years.
"I have been extremely blessed with a family who loves Gopher volleyball just as much as I do," she said. "Win or lose, they are there for me and I will be forever grateful for that."
