Dear Texas State:

(Editor Note: Each letter was written by each student-athlete and the only alterations made were grammatical.) 

As the 2022 Texas State volleyball season is set to begin its fifth set with a two-match tilt against Troy this weekend, nine Bobcat student-athletes were asked their thoughts and feelings on playing their final volleyball matches inside Strahan Arena. 

Below are letters written, personally, by Emily Smylie, Jada Gardner, Tessa Marshall, Jillian Slaughter, Courtney Heiser, Janell Fitzgerald, Emily DeWalt, Lauren Teske and Kayla Tello expressing themselves: 

Emily Smylie, Middle Blocker

Dear Texas State, 

When I committed to play here, I knew I was committing to a championship culture and a winning team. What I didn't know was that I was going to make some of the best friendships that will last a lifetime along with some of the best memories. Words cannot describe how truly grateful I am for my time spent here at Texas State. Although my time as a volleyball player has come to (an) unexpected end, I would not trade this experience for the world. For all the adversity, lessons and experiences I have undergone, I believe they have all shaped me to be a better person. With that, I am forever grateful for this program and this school. 

Thank you, Texas State. 

Jada Gardner, Outside Hitter 

Dear Volleyball,

THANK YOU!!

Who would have thought, when I started this sport, that you would bring so much into my life? Through all of the good times, and the challenging times, you have been a constant in my life for the last 10 years. I started you as something fun to do. I was tall and even though basketball was in my lineage, it just wasn’t for me.  I didn’t think you would take me anywhere. The more I played, the more I realized that I was good enough to compete at the next level. I have had the opportunity to travel the country and the world through you and have met friends for life.  You have challenged me in unexpected ways, helped me to navigate through adversity and taught me determination and perseverance.

Dear Texas State,

THANK YOU!!!

6 years ago when I started my college volleyball career, I didn’t think I would be here. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be able to compete for a conference championship and to be able to finish my collegiate volleyball career here.  I have come full circle from my prep days, which is such an unique experience. Thank you for accepting me into your family and allowing me to be in a position to earn a ring. I am looking forward to competing for yet another conference title. GO 'CATS…EAT ‘EM UP!

Tessa Marshall, Middle Blocker

Dear Texas State,

Thank you so much for making it so hard to say goodbye to the school and sport that I love so much, but most of all the people that I’ve met along the way. I will cherish the memories I've made in my last four years here forever. We fought through so much adversity as a team and learned so much along the way. I am so thankful for all the support that I have gotten from my friends, family, teammates, coaches, and Bobcat Nation throughout my time here. I know that the lessons and skills I have learned at Texas State will help me in all my future goals, and I'm excited to see all that I will accomplish. And of course, It's always a great day to be a Bobcat! 

Jillian Slaughter, Middle Blocker

Dear Texas State Volleyball,

These past four and a half years have meant the world to me. I can’t begin to express how thankful I am to have been a part of this program for five seasons. I want to thank my coaches for seeing the potential in me and for pushing me to become the best version of myself on and off the court. I also want to thank my family for being the absolute best support system and God for all of the blessings and opportunities he’s gifted me with.

There are so many special moments that rush though my mind thinking back on my time here. From winning Sun Belt championships to playing in the NCAA tournament, it’s the friendships I’ve made during my career as a Bobcat that will be my most cherished memories. I have been incredibly blessed with the most amazing teammates, who I can call my best friends. I’ve been playing with some of these girls for such a long time now and it’s been an honor to be a part of their stories and to see them become the amazing women they are today.

Thank you, Texas State Volleyball, for letting me live out the dream I’ve had since I was a little girl. Texas State will always have a special place in my heart.

Jillian Slaughter #8

Courtney Heiser, Outside Hitter

Dear Texas State,

I initially never thought that I’d end up here. I didn’t know anything about the school, before coming on my first visit and wasn’t super interested. That all changed when I got to San Marcos for the first time and saw all that it had to offer. I knew as soon as I stepped foot on campus that this was where I wanted to be. Six years later, that still holds. I won’t lie and say that there weren’t times that I didn’t miss home so much it hurt. But at the end of the day, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. The life experience I have gained during my time here is valuable in a way that I don’t think I could have learned anywhere else. Playing volleyball here has been a dream come true. The teammates who have become my family, the coaches who have taught me hard lessons and pushed me to be my best, and the fans that support us at every game are all people whom I am immensely grateful for. I’ve gotten to experience so much that I never would have if I had gone somewhere else. Every professor I’ve had here has been passionate and genuine and has always helped me out when I needed it. I guess the thing about Texas State that will stick with me the most is the people I have met here. There’s something special about this little hill country town and the people that live in it. I find that I’m going to have a hard time leaving, as I now know there is nowhere else quite like San Marvelous. While my life hasn’t always been easy here at Texas State, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. This school has made me a better person and taught me so much more than just biology. I am forever grateful and proud to call myself a bobcat.

Eat em’ up,

Courtney Heiser 

Janell Fitzgerald, Outside Hitter

Dear Texas State, 

            Nothing compares to the gratitude I have. I came to Texas State five years ago bringing nothing, but my love for the sport of volleyball and the willingness to take on anything that was thrown at me. Volleyball did not come easy for me. I was not a prodigy or even the most athletic, but because of my mom, dad, and brother, I had a system ready to support me in whatever endeavor. My mom has taught me to work hard to become the person I wanted to be and no matter how hard the task, it is possible. My dad has always been my cheerleader. He has shown me if you are determined then nothing will stand in your way and diligence is key. He has also embodied that character and generosity will carry you through life. My brother has been my role model through it all to chase your dream,  because everything happens for a reason. Because my coaches, since the age of 11, did not give up on me, I was able to compete at this level. 

Although Texas State was my very first visit, it did not stop me from becoming completely in awe of the beautiful campus, people, and generosity that myself and other (soon-to-be) teammates were met with. It was something that was engrained in me from the time I stepped foot onto campus and is something that will continue to encompass me as I walk away. Yes, throughout my time here I have experienced a lot of challenges: navigating life through a pandemic, playing a season through a pandemic, coaching staff change, many academic advisors and trainers. But without a doubt I would never take back one second of it. This journey has developed me into a player and woman that I would have never imagined. My time at Texas State has not been defined by the hard times, but is so much sweeter because of them. Because it was tough, we were able to make history many times, play against some of the best teams in the nation, win three championships, and earn many individual titles. Coming in as a naive 17-year-old girl and leaving as a seasoned 22-year-old woman is one of the best gifts I could have ever received. Not only has my knowledge and love of the game grown throughout my five years, but so has my knowledge of myself, my faith, and relationship with God. I knew playing at a Division I university would not be easy, but the encouragement from my coaching staff has outweighed any negativity that has entered my mind. Challenges are tough, they are expected. But one thing I have learned is to embrace the hard times because it is only as hard as your mind conceives it to be. The mind is the most powerful weapon, and you are your greatest opponent. Because of these very valuable lessons that I have learned, I am ready to receive anything that life throws at me. 

            Although this chapter of my life is coming to an end, I cannot begin to express how much love and gratitude I have for every coach I have been blessed to play under and every teammate I have bled, sweat, and cried with and every relationship I’ve gained along the way. Every time I have ran out of the tunnel, every time my name was called on the speakers, every little girl that I have met after the game, will all be remembered. I have no idea what is next, or what life is like without volleyball; I know it is a scary road ahead, but I have no doubt that I will be able to use the skills that I have learned within these past five years to be successful. Thank you for everything Texas State. 

With love,

Janell Fitzgerald #16

Emily DeWalt, Setter

Dear Texas State,

It’s crazy to think that my time here in San Marcos is coming to an end. I am extremely grateful for all of the wonderful people I have crossed paths with over the last five years. The countless memories and loving friendships are something I will keep close to my heart and cherish forever.

To my family, friends, coaches, and teammates who have given me endless support over the years, the words thank you will never be enough. Your constant belief in me kept me going and continued to push me to strive for greatness every single day.

To Bobcat Nation, thank you for being the greatest fan base! Your never-ending support helped push the program to new heights during my time here and I am excited to see what more they will accomplish with your help moving forward.

Although saying goodbye is never easy, I leave here with an extremely full heart knowing that San Marcos will always be my second home. Once a Bobcat Always A Bobcat! #eat’em up, cats

Sincerely,

#17

Lauren Teske, Outside Hitter

Dear Texas State,

Thank you for the past five years. When I came here as a freshman, I never could have imagined all the friendships and memories I would have made. Thank you for giving me more opportunities than I could have ever wished for. Thank you for teaching me to work hard and to always have a goal in mind. Thank you for putting some of the most amazing people into my life to not only learn from but to grow love for. I always knew I wanted to play in college and you gave me something to work for. You helped build me into the person that I am today.

Looking back at all the memories what I am going to miss the most is being surrounded by people that always supported me. Being in atmosphere where you can thrive and not be afraid to make mistakes is something that I will cherish forever. From locker room talks with my teammates to getting to travel all around the country seeing new places, and making memories is something that I will always be grateful for. Of course, my journey here at Texas State was not easy, by any means, but it made me stronger. It taught me that life is not fair, that I will have to work hard everyday no matter what, and if you want to be successful it will not just be handed to you. These life lessons are just a few that I learned along the way, learning them, and experiencing them were hard but I am better off because of them. 

Although it seems that most of my time was consumed by being an athlete, I also had the opportunity to excel academically. Thank you, Texas State, from giving me to privilege to earn two degrees. These two degrees will be the foundation of my career and help me throughout the rest of my life. 

Sitting here writing this letter does not feel real. How can a sport that I played for almost 10 years be over? This label as a student-athlete has consumed me for most of my life and now its time for the next journey. I always put off thinking about the end of my volleyball career and time at Texas State, because it makes me sad and confused. It is hard to put a feeling into words when I have never experienced it. I have not experienced a life without volleyball, without going to practice daily, waking up early for games or practice, traveling with my friends, gamedays. That will be next journey in life, learning how to become a different person without volleyball. I have no doubt I will carry the love for volleyball into the next chapter in my life.

Thank you to everyone who helped me through this journey at Texas State. I will always cherish my time here and will never forget it.

Lauren Teske

Kayla Tello, Defensive Specialist 

Dear Texas State, 

It's been one heck of a ride. It's crazy how fast the four years have gone by. Thank you so much for allowing me to continue to play the sport I love most, but also for bringing me my life-long best friends. I will forever cherish the memories I made at this school. I want to thank all of my supporters and fans for sticking by my side through everything I have been through. I wouldn't have made it through without each and every one of y'all. Being a Bobcat has molded me into the person I am today. I have learned and grown so much as a Bobcat and I am forever grate for that.