The floodgates opened for three special ladies Saturday Nov. 3, as friends, family and fans gathered for the UMKC volleyball version of senior night inside Swinney Recreation Center.
Seniors Sarah Johnson, Lauren Starks and Kylee Stephenson enjoyed one last round of cheers as they closed out the 2007 volleyball home season. Remarks by each of the girls after the match was concluded, touched more than a few in attendance, including yours truly.
Stephenson, who has been sidelined for the last half of the Summit League season, suited up with her mates and was placed on the starting roster as a final tribute to the seemingly always-cheerful Roo. But when play commenced, she retreated to the locker room, put on a nice dress and returned to cheer the team on from the bench.
"It's been just awesome - I really couldn't have asked for anything more [from my career]," Stephenson told the crowd from courtside. "We've been praying for someone to come in here and turn this program around … and these girls are going to do it."
The rest of her speech started what seemed a river of tears, from Stephenson, her teammates and many around the crowd.
Next up was Starks, who held it together a little better, but the wells were filling the longer the speeches lasted.
"I've met some very great people at UMKC, and enjoyed some very great support from the fans," Starks said. "We've had great support from the administration, from a new coach and coaching staff and all the parents ... thank you for everything."
These were humble words for a player whose time on the court was reduced this season. Though her time was reduced, it was evident from the start the role placed on her shoulders as the player responsible for bringing momentum off the bench was executed by her incredibly.
Each time Starks would enter a game late in the action, the needed lift was evident as her tenacity revitalized the squad and its efforts. In baseball, they call that player the closer; in basketball, it's the sixth man. Whatever the title, the senior pulled it off very nicely indeed.
Closing out the senior speeches on the court was North Dakota native Sarah Johnson. A woman and player already known for her strength and toughness on the court, Johnson chose someone else to throw the spotlight on this evening.
"I want to thank my parents for driving me an hour and a half each way to my club practices, which is how I got here [to UMKC]," Johnson said. "I also want to thank my mom (the dams were breaking) who is the strongest woman I've ever met (and the flooding began)."
A touching scene earlier in the night happened as gifts were awarded to each senior. Johnson's mother was escorted onto the court in a wheelchair. But to celebrate her daughter's achievement, the obviously proud, though weakened parent, rose up from the chair and stood for hugs and pictures with Johnson.
UMKC head volleyball coach Geno Frugoli exuded pride and admiration for these three ladies who didn't get to play on a league champion, but certainly helped lay the foundation for things to come.
"I think these girls have grown so much as people and as character individuals this year," Frugoli said. "They've done more for this program than you'll ever see on the scoreboard."
It was truly a special night and for the writers who covered these players this season, it was one we didn't want to see end. Frugoli offered a little more insight into how he felt about his first year at UMKC.
"I've learned that UMKC can be a special place for volleyball," Frugoli said. "I think, given some more time, as we continue to grow as a team and a program, the university is going to have a top-tier volleyball program to enjoy and call their own."
Well said, coach.
One season ends and another begins. For the volleyball squad that remains, off-season conditioning will commence soon after the road finales next weekend.
The winter's never as long as one thinks and before we know it, the next volleyball chapter will begin. But until then, ROOYAH ladies!!!
dstroud@unews.com
