Story links
Although it’s earlier than usual in the season to celebrate their seniors, lehigh volleyball only has seven games left before the Patriot League tournament kicks off. So this seemed like the right time to honor her.
This group of seniors is special for many reasons, made up of four athletes who have certainly shaped the program.
From the two-time All-Patriot League selection Hannah Wright and the strong outside hitter Sabrina Lancaster to the hard-working libero Allison Garrett and the middle blocker Claire Nagelhout. Their legacy is sure to linger long after they graduate and leave the program.
Lehighsports.com caught up with every senior ahead of their senior night match against Lafayette on Sunday.
# 18 Claire Nagelhout – MB – Bethesda, Md. – Psychology
What is your favorite Lehigh volleyball memory so far? Why?
CN: My favorite memory of Lehigh volleyball is our preseason tournament in Ohio when I was a junior. Overall, it was fun playing high-level teams and experiencing a level of competition that we don’t always achieve. What really strikes me about this trip is that after our last game we went to a house that some of the parents rented and had dinner and played games and just got to hang out and relax.
Describe your relationship with your senior colleagues.
CN: The other seniors and I have a very special relationship because in the last 4 years we got the chance to see each other grow up. I think my class is special because we all have quite different personalities, but we get on really well and we’re grateful that volleyball brought us together.
Describe the feeling of going into senior citizenship. How are you going to take the time to celebrate your career in your final season even if the rest of the season is still to come?
CN: I’m looking forward to Senior Day and the rest of our season. Overall, I’m just grateful that we can have a season at all this year, and I’m definitely grateful for everyone who made this season possible. I think because because of COVID we never know which game / training session might be our last, it’s pretty easy for me to take the time every day to be grateful to be able to practice or play a game because I have many I know people didn’t get these opportunities.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Volleyball?
CN: What I will miss most about Lehigh volleyball are my friends. I don’t try to take it for granted that I come to practice and play with my best friends every day, especially at a time when most people are limited to who to see each day.
How proud are you of the progress the Lehigh volleyball program has made and continues to make?
CN: I’m very proud of the progress the volleyball program has made over the past four years. I am particularly proud of how much my teammates and I have come closer to each other. I think something special about our team is that we have learned to play for each other, not just for ourselves.
Thoughts on Coach Keckler as your coach and how did the coaching team help you grow?
CN: Coach Keckler and the rest of the coaching staff really care about us as people, not just volleyball players. They are always there for advice and it is clear that they want to help us be successful in any way we can.
What are your post graduate plans?
CN: I’m going to Columbia University next year for my MS in clinical social work and I hope to become a child therapist one day.
# 19 Allison Garrett – L / DS – Watkinsville, Ga. – Marketing
What is your favorite Lehigh volleyball memory so far? Why?
AG: One of my favorite memories of Lehigh Volleyball is our trip to TCU in my freshman year. This has been a great trip where I really felt like I was connected to my teammates and we had to face some competitive teams.
Describe your relationship with your senior colleagues.
AG: The senior class has a really interesting mix of personalities, but our love and dedication to volleyball has brought us together to make really solid friendships. We’ve been through a lot together during our careers, and especially last year, but I’m really proud of ourselves for sticking with it.
Describe the feeling of going into senior citizenship. How are you going to take the time to celebrate your career in your final season even if the rest of the season is still to come?
AG: Senior days are always bittersweet for me, and all the more so because this time it is actually mine. It’s always nice to celebrate the seniors and their accomplishments, but of course that means they leave. With what we’ve been through with COVID, I’ve taken the outlook “You never know when your last game will be” and I think I will stay that way throughout our season.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Volleyball?
AG: My teammates 100%
How proud are you of the progress the Lehigh volleyball program has made and continues to make?
AG: It was great to see Lehigh volleyball grow while I was here. In particular, I loved watching the people in my class and those below me grow up, improve their skills, and gain confidence on and off the pitch.
Thoughts on Coach Keckler as your coach and how did the coaching team help you grow?
AG: Coach Keckler has been really great throughout my time here. She is always available to chat with me about anything and help me with anything I struggle with. The staff and being part of this team helped me find my voice and gain confidence in myself.
What are your post graduate plans?
AG: Currently still applying for jobs.
# 21 Hannah Wright – OH – Merion Station, PA. – psychology
What is your favorite Lehigh volleyball memory so far? Why?
HW: My favorite memory of Lehigh Volleyball is when we were sweeping Americans in straight leaps on their home court in my sophomore year and how much fun we had on the bus ride home after celebrating our victory.
Describe your relationship with your senior colleagues.
HW: It’s really humbling to end my senior year with such talented volleyball players, but also better people. We have gone through some difficulties in our four years and I am really grateful for the bonds we have made. Really fun to see how much we’ve grown and how far we’ve come since our first year, and I’m happy to see every single one of them killing it after we graduate.
Describe the feeling of going into senior citizenship. How are you going to take the time to celebrate your career in your final season even if the rest of the season is still to come?
HW: Especially in view of the current circumstances with COVID-19, I know that I can say on behalf of all my seniors that this season is already something special for us, as we had the opportunity to take part in competitions in our last year. Of course, it’s a bittersweet feeling to think about not playing with this group of girls next year, but I look forward to celebrating our travels to this point and all we have achieved.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Volleyball?
HW: What I will miss most about Lehigh Volleyball are my great teammates. These girls have become my family over the past four years and I know that I will miss competing with them and seeing them every day after I graduate.
How proud are you of the progress the Lehigh volleyball program has made and continues to make?
HW: I am very proud of the growth in this program over the past four years. The players and coaching staff adhere to a very high standard and you can only expect exciting things from that in the future. It’s hard not to see tremendous growth as an individual and as a program when you’re surrounded by such an amazing group of hardworking, determined, and talented people.
Thoughts on Coach Keckler as your coach and how did the coaching team help you grow?
HW: I will always be very grateful for all of this program and this team of trainers. You’ve created an environment here that has allowed me to grow into the best person and volleyball player I can be, and I know that after I graduate, I’ll be in all of the things I learned here will benefit my life.
What are your post graduate plans?
HW: I am currently applying to graduate schools to do my master’s degree in pedagogy and am examining the possibility of using my fifth year of funding (thanks Corona!).
# 23 Sabrina Lancaster – OH – Woodbridge, VA. – molecular biology
What is your favorite Lehigh volleyball memory so far? Why?
SL: I still laugh when I think of accidentally pushing Alina Lam to the ground out of excitement right after she made a phenomenal defensive save.
Describe your relationship with your senior colleagues.
SL: My senior colleagues were a rock to me during my four years here at Lehigh. The camaraderie that has formed between us and the challenges we have overcome has helped me become a better athlete and person.
Describe the feeling of going into senior citizenship. How are you going to take the time to celebrate your career in your final season even if the rest of the season is still to come?
SL: Although I enter Senior Day with a bittersweet feeling, the best way to remember our careers is to approach the game with the same tenacity and discipline that we have every time we step on the field.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Volleyball?
SL: I will always miss our pregame dance parties.
How proud are you of the progress the Lehigh volleyball program has made and continues to make?
SL: I am proud to have been part of such a competitive and resilient program. I can’t wait to see the program continue to achieve our goals of excellence.
Thoughts on Coach Keckler as your coach and how did the coaching team help you grow?
SL: There is no doubt that Coach Keckler gives everything for the development of their players and the success of the program. Not only did you and the staff help me become a bigger athlete, but they also gave me valuable life skills that I will use years after graduation.
What are your post graduate plans?
SL: I hope to continue my education in molecular biology and pursue a career in academic or clinical research.
Comments are closed.