Nov. 22, 2011
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By Andrea Bejarano
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Wrapping up the regular season on Tuesday against UTEP, the UCF women's volleyball team will be coming home for Thanksgiving.
"I look forward to the food and playing games," Meredith Murphy said. "When my family gets together, that usually means we are playing some type of game. Whether it's ping-pong or a board game, there is always some friendly competition."
Rachel Vukson, a fellow teammate and Canadian native, shares some insight on how the team does not forget about her during the Thanksgiving holiday.
"Since I am Canadian, our Thanksgiving is in October," Vukson explains. "Our team has a small Canadian Thanksgiving celebration since we are in season and I can't go home."
Along with Vukson, other Knights will not be able to travel home for Thanksgiving. The women's basketball team will be playing Fordham on Friday during the Thanksgiving Classic and although they will not be with their families during the holiday, they are exceptionally thankful for what they have.
"Thanksgiving is about family," Aisha Patrick said. "I don't have to be in college right now, I don't have to have a scholarship and I don't have to be as fortunate as I am, so I am thankful for my parents, teammates and coaches for getting me where I am today."
Gevenia Carter seconds that.
"Thanksgiving means to me to be thankful for the things that you have and the things that you don't have," Carter said. "Everything is done for a purpose and that means that if you don't have something, you just have to work hard for it, but always be grateful for the people and the things that you do have. Some people are not as fortunate."
As the semester comes to an end, many UCF student-athletes have such busy schedules that when they do get the chance to spend time with their families, they enjoy it and treasure it as much as possible.
"My freshman year I got the chance to come home for Thanksgiving after the season was over," Murphy added. "Being away for so long really made me appreciate all the people I love and home-cooked food. It was nice to come home to a house full of people and good food waiting on the table."
With that said, UCF Athletics Association would like to wish our student-athletes a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving.