University of Minnesota Athletics
Senior Scope: Sarah Wilhite
7/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sarah Wilhite played in 97 sets as a junior year last, missing matches due to an injury. Even with limited play, she shined when she had 248 kills, had 17 aces, averaged 2.56 kills per set and 1.16 blocks per set. The Eden Prairie, Minn., native made her mark during the postseason play. In 2015, Wilhite had 55 in five matches and averaged 3.24 per set. Named to the 2015 NCAA All-Region Tournament Team, she tied a season-high 20 kills against Illinois and added another 12 kills against Hawaii and four blocks in the Regional Final. Take a look at Sarah Wilhite's past three years in this Senior Scope.
Gophersports.com: Do you remember your summer before your freshman year? How is it different from your senior year or how much has changed for you over the course of your tenure?
Sarah Wilhite: The summer before my freshman year feels like yesterday. As an incoming freshman, I was anxious for my first preseason; I did not know what to expect. As an incoming senior, all I feel is excitement. The culture of the University of Minnesota program has grown to be something very special. Each member of the team is working towards a common goal and is willing to put in the work to reach it. The summer before my freshman year, I was looking to the seniors for encouragement and guidance. Now, as a senior, I am always available help the incoming freshman understand what it is like to be a part of Gopher Volleyball and encourage them along the way.
GS: Now as a senior, what are your responsibilities?
SW: The senior class has to decide what we are prepared to tolerate from each other. We have the responsibility to hold teammates accountable and lead by example. A goal of ours is to leave the program better than we found it. To accomplish this goal, we must cross the line every day, showing up to practice ready to work hard and compete.
GS: If there was one thing the senior self of you could tell your freshman self, what would it be?
SW: Do not take a second of being a part of this program for granted. There were times in my career as a Gopher where I let fear interfere with my love for the game. Looking back, I wish someone would have told me how much of a blessing it is to be a part of this program and to have the ability to play volleyball every day. I also would have told myself to trust my coaches and the process of learning. My freshman and sophomore year consisted of a lot of frustration that often prevented me from improving.
GS: Minnesota only had one starting senior last year, this year, a more seasoned team. What will it take for the Gophers to be successful again in 2016?
SW: The 2016 team has worked very hard this last spring and summer to get better individually and collectively. Each member of the team has individual skills that benefit the whole team in an amazing way. We will continue to build the chemistry and work hard on and off the court.
GS: What's the best piece of advice or encouragement the coaching staff has given you during your Gopher career?
SW: I have a piece of encouragement and a piece of advice that both helped me throughout my Gopher career.
Encouragement:
"You have earned the right to be proud and confident" - For someone who has struggled with negative self-talk, hearing these words from my coaches did nothing but encourage me to continue to strive to the be best player I could be.
Advice:
"There's no magic, just hard work" - it applies to not only the work we put in on the volleyball court but every aspect of life. We don't wake up one day with the skills and abilities needed to be successful on the volleyball court; we work every day to reach our fullest potential.
