Fall 2018 Senior Highlights

Malik Higgins 

#12, Wide Receiver

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Fast Facts: 

206 receptions (3rd in program records)

3033 yards (3rd in program records)

29 touchdowns (3rd in program records)

What are your thoughts on your career as a whole?  “I wish I didn’t miss games because of injury. I think I have worked hard, extremely hard, here, since I have came here. I was taught a great work ethic from the seniors above me my freshman year and I want to carry that on to the young guys and the numbers show.”

Stephanie Burdsall

#12, Midfield/Forward

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Fast Facts:

Started 65 games

23 goals & 9 assists, totaling 55 points

164 shots

What was your most memorable experience? “This past season when we played Quincy. That was probably one of my favorite games. And even though we tied them it was the best we had played them all four years I had been here. It was cool to see how far we had come from freshman year so that was cool to see.”

What have you learned from playing soccer? “I feel like if I didn’t play soccer I would be more disorganized. It gave me a lot of experience and it helped shape who I am now.”

Katie Voelz

#12, Middle Blocker

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Fast Facts:

762 kills

340 total blocks (12th in program records)

278 assisted blocks (9th in program records)

What was your most memorable experience? “Dance parties in the locker room before games and beating Louis and Rockers for the first time in our four years here. Those are two really good teams so I won’t forget that.”

What have you learned from playing volleyball? “Volleyball made me a morning person and it brought me my best friends and my lifelong friends. You can’t put a price on that.”

Michele Govern

#9, Midfield/Forward

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Fast Facts:

66 games started

10 goals & 9 assists, totaling 29 points

76 shots

What was your most memorable experience? “When I found out we made the conference tournament last year. We worked so hard for it, and that was the goal for that season so when we made it, it felt good.”

Is there anything you will miss about playing soccer? “I’m gonna miss the sport in general. Playing and there isn’t anything else like the team atmosphere.”

Josh Mahon

#2, Forward

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Fast Facts:

Started 46 games

7 goals & 4 assists, totaling 18 points

42 shots

What have you learned from playing soccer? “It teaches me a lot of things. It just taught me to be tough, I guess because without soccer I feel like I’d be really soft. Like I’m still soft sometimes, but I like to think that I’m tough now, especially with Coach Higgins is yelling at us. It really like makes us stronger, I guess. It’s annoying but then it’s good for you in the end.”

Jake Purichia

#6, Quarterback

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Fast Facts:

56 passing touchdowns (3rd in program records)

6413 passing yards (3rd in program records)

448 completions (3rd in program records)

What kind of impact did playing football have on your college experience? “Football had a huge impact and I learned a lot of things from it. Not just football wise and in life, maybe even more than I did in school. It just teaches you a lot about being a team and leading a team.”

What have you learned from playing football? “I have learned a lot about leading, being a two year captain. I like to think I know how to lead a group in the right direction. Just learning to cherish every relationship you have.”

Lucas Rice

#93, Defensive Lineman

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Fast Facts:

182 tackles for loss yards (5th in program records)

33 tackles for loss (tied for 7th in program records)

22 sacks (9th in program records)

What kind of impact did playing football have on your college experience? “It had a great impact and brought me a bunch of experiences with friends that I have now and will be for the rest of my life and got to play the game I love for four more years.”

What have you learned from playing football? “I just learned to be a part of a team and to work hard. Being a student athlete is difficult, but if you grind through, it will be a great turnout in the end.”

Lauren Koopman

#15, Middle Blocker

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Fast Fact:

141 kills

Is there anything you will miss about playing volleyball? “I am going to miss being competitive on the court all the time. That is one thing I am going to need in my life and that’s going to be really hard to find that.”

What was your most memorable experience? “Playing with the group of girls this year is the most memorable. We all got together very well and made this season the most fun for everyone.”

Amber Perry

#11, Back

Fast Facts: 

51 games started

11 shots

What kind of impact did playing soccer have on your college experience? “I would be very antisocial without soccer. I would work way more than I probably should and I would talk to nobody and just leave every day. Soccer made me relaxed and helped me talk to people and not force myself to overwork. It was a  nice break between school and reality and gave me a fall back to enjoy myself.”

Benjamin Sierra

#10, Forward

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Fast Facts:

Started 55 games

13 goals & 12 assists, totaling 38 points

83 shots

What was your most memorable experience? “Probably the boys in the locker room, my freshman year, when everybody didn’t know me and I couldn’t speak much English. But they made me feel part of the family anyway, [even when] I wasn’t able to communicate with them as much as I can now.”

Is there anything else you want to share about your experience? “I want to say thanks to the coaches and to my teammates for making this experience unbelievable.”