Four years - what freshmen dream of when they step onto campus.
The hardest thing is predicting the future.
"The hardest thing, the toughest thing, is when you set out, you have your way and what you want to happen," said senior Rachel Schwartz. "(God) wants to have it happen a different way. It's tough, but in the long run it's going to be more rewarding for you."
For Schwartz and fellow seniors outside hitter Jordan Larson and middle blocker Amanda Gates, that path shapes up something like this:
The three seniors have only lost seven games in their four years at Nebraska. They share a .945 career winning percentage.
They've won 73 Big 12 Conference matches and three league championships.
They won a national championship in 2006.
"We won a national championship and we want to get there," Schwartz said. "But the most important thing is staying in the moment and realizing that the people you're with is what is most important."
"The journey," as Gates calls it, began early for the trio. One year before they hit the court as Huskers, the three suited up together at the Nebraska Juniors club volleyball team.
"I think anytime you know somebody coming into a new environment and new team it helps out just to get a feel for things," Schwartz said.
"Now, I always know I can count on Gates no matter what the circumstances I can call her up and know she's going to be here for me."
Gates agreed.
"Once you build a relationship, it continues to grow," Gates said. "You make new memories together through the hard, tough and great moments. You can reflect on those and help each other grow as people."
Their coach has noticed - John Cook has heaped praise on the group's leadership and poise.
Larson contributes their leadership to having played different roles on the team over the past four years.
"This year we really wanted to bring together what us three have learned from our past experiences," Larson said. "Having that and reflecting back on what we've learned, and what's been successful for us really transcribed in what the team is today."
Larson said the seniors worked to find love this season.
"There were parts of it that we've lost in the past four years," Larson said. That's one thing we really wanted to gain this year."
Since media day, "love" has been emphasized most in the journey of the team this year.
Cook referred to the word often in the media, and said his players needed to love each other in order to succeed. The seniors have tried to spread the message to younger players.
Leading the team would've been much more difficult if the three hadn't been together for their senior year,
Gates said.
"We've all been through different journeys to get through to this senior year," Gates said. "We all have different knowledge to bring to the court, different knowledge to bring to the team. All that you put together helps you make a great group."
If it were just one leader, it wouldn't be the same team. You need all of us."
The women will take their final bow and the Coliseum's lights will dim after Saturday's final home match against Texas Tech - Senior Night.
Still, they're excited to see what's next.
"It's just going to be a great relationship when you get beyond here," Larson said. "I couldn't image having two better people to have experienced these last four years with. Just great people. I couldn't even explain. We make each other better people every day.
"It's cliché, but it's true."
nickfilipowski@dailynebraskan.com
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