Nov. 4, 2009
By Stephanie Hayes
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF volleyball team will be competing in its final home match of the 2009 season Sunday against Conference USA opponent SMU. This night will also serve as Senior Night for the team, marking the final home match for seniors Andee Youngblood (Castle Rock, Colo.) and Erin Campbell (Kansas City, Mo.) of their UCF careers. What will inevitably be a very emotional night for the two women, also serves a stepping stone for them into the next phase of their lives.
Youngblood said this about what Senior Night means to her:
"Senior Night will be very emotional because it is a celebration of everything we have been through the past four years," she said. "It is basically who we are and just kind of the end of that. It is sad but it is cool to look back on it at the same time."
Youngblood has had an impressive career here at UCF, making a name for herself as a key player in helping to lead her team to success. Post-graduation, the setter plans to continue her volleyball career overseas in order to gain professional experience, extend her playing career and create an opportunity for herself to experience other cultures outside of the United States. After that, she has plans of applying to grad school.
Wherever life takes Youngblood, it is clear that her time at UCF and in the volleyball program has left her with many valuable things to take away.
"I think the most important things I will take away from my time here is the discipline, the commitment and, of course, the friendships I have made over the past four years," she said.
Youngblood will also be taking with her a vast number of memories when she leaves, the majority of which revolve around the time she spent with her teammates both on and off the court. Whether it was competing together, spending time together in the locker room or on bus rides, or really becoming closer during the offseason, it is apparent from talking to the senior that the bonds she has made with her teammates are those that last a lifetime.
On UCF, the senior remarks, "It has been a fun place to be. I think we are really lucky to have been able to go to school here and we are really spoiled. This is a school that is definitely going to be big someday and it is cool to be here in the beginning."
One thing is for sure. This senior has an exciting path ahead of her, one that she is more than well-equipped to follow. She will be missed at UCF, but she has a bright future ahead of her and with the values and strength she has been developing as a student-athlete, she is prepared for anything.
UCF returns to The Venue at UCF for its final C-USA home series this weekend when it takes on Tulsa and SMU. The match against the Golden Hurricane is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday night, while the match-up with the Mustangs is set to get underway at 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The match against SMU will also be broadcast by Bright House Sports Network on tape delay, set to air Sunday evening at 7 p.m.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
-UCF-