Sisterhood with Allison: A Moment of Greatness

We just returned from an away trip at Virginia. It was one of the most encouraging weekends with a noble loss to UVA and a commendable win against VT. We were feeling good. We had accomplished a lot. Whether it was Alejandra’s hard fought third set singles match that contained a medical time-out near the finale against UVA or Daria’s 4-1 down third-set singles match victory over her VT opponent 6-4, the team showed their strength together. We knew that if we huddled together, Alejandra’s spirits and Daria’s energy, we would persevere.  However, it was on the ride home that I realized I was coming home to Raleigh for the night, to get on a plane to New York City the following morning alone.

It was a senior moment - when life hits you hard and you realize it is all coming to an end. I had been applying for different job opportunities for several weeks and I had received a call back to travel to New York with a prestigious company. I was excited and prepared. Both Coach’s and my teammates helped me prepare by asking interview questions and open discussions on business topics throughout the trip. It got serious; it got interesting; most of all, it got real.

When I boarded the plane the next day, I had on my very first business suit. I was carrying my very first briefcase. And I was experiencing my first real challenge to compete against “the best of them” in the big city and was hoping to leave my mark when I left. I learned its important to seize every opportunity and that with every opportunity, I can achieve greatness.

While alone in the city, with no teammates near by, I still felt as if they were right next to me. With hours and even minutes before I walked through the doors, I still felt their presence as I opened my phone and read my messages:

“Good Luck.”

“Sending you some positive chi from Raleigh.”

“Go get em! Build your pump and competitive intensity! Go Pack!”

 “You’ll do great. Remember to relax and be yourself.”

“Let me know how it goes.”

I wanted to write this blog to thank my sisters and “uncles” (my two coaches) for they were my moment of greatness. I never felt that I was alone even though I was about to walk into an office with only one shadow behind me.

To my team: You’ve touched my heart. We have only one month left and we have six more conference matches, one ACC tournament, and the NCAA tournament to win!

Now more than ever in tennis and in life: life holds the greatest gift called friendship.

North Carolina State University Athletics

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