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| Devanne Sours | |
As we countdown to the final home matches of the 2016 New Mexico volleyball season, we’ll post an interview with each of the Lobos’ four graduating seniors. Next up in our series is Devanne Sours, a senior outside hitter from Tatum, N.M.
Q: What was your educational experience at UNM like?
A: My educational experience at UNM has been full many twists and turns, but it has been absolutely amazing. I finished my Speech and Hearing Science Degree in 3 years, and am finishing up a psychology degree now before I start my masters. Even though sometimes the course load was rough, it was always worth it! I have gained immense amounts of knowledge from all of my amazing peers and professors and I couldn’t be more thankful.
Q: What was your playing experience at UNM like?
A: I do not think that I can sum up my playing experience in 4 years at UNM in just a little paragraph. The UNM volleyball program has been my home for four years and I couldn’t be more thankful for all the lessons I have learned. I cannot say that every experience was positive, but that is life. That is what makes teams stronger. Through adversity, tears, laughter, and all of the good things, my playing experience here has taught me so many things. This program has pushed me to become a stronger person, teammate, and athlete and I could not be more thankful for that.
Q: Why did you choose to play at New Mexico?
A: I don’t really think that I chose to play at New Mexico. I think New Mexico chose me to play here. Before I got to college, being from such a small town, I never believed that I could play Division I volleyball. The only schools that I even looked at or tried to talk to were all Division II schools. Then one day, when Lisa B [former assistant coach Lisa Beauchene] walked up to me during the state volleyball tournament in the Santa Anna Star Center, my dreams became a reality. After considering all of my educational options, UNM was the best fit for me: It had the program I wanted to do and an amazing volleyball team. What more could I ask for?
Q: What was it like playing in your home state?
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A: Being able to stay in my home state to go to college has meant the world to me. Even though my family has driven countless hours to come watch me play, it would not have been the same if I had gone out of state. Staying in New Mexico has kept me closer to my family, and allowed me to make an impact on the volleyball community in a state that I have called home for 21 years.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories from your playing time at New Mexico?
A: Some of my favorite memories playing at UNM didn’t even happen on the court. Never in my life have I laughed so hard at so many dumb and pointless things. From eating disgusting jelly beans and watching people almost puke, to listening to Pauline and Allie go back and forth for 20 minutes arguing because Allie thinks she can do an Australian accent, I can’t even begin to describe all of the memories that I have made. All the car ride sing-alongs are definitely something to mention, because there is always that one person who thinks they can sing really great (Lauren), but in reality it is a little rough on the ears. On the court, the memories come pouring into my mind. There is some like jumping on Chantale after watching her achieve a huge career milestone, talking crap to JJ, Jeff, and Pauline in practice when they play with us, being so competitive with my teammates that I can threaten to break their pinkies if they block me, and many, many more. I cannot explain what each of these memories mean to me.
Q: What are some things you’ll miss about playing volleyball at New Mexico?
A: I will miss my teammate the most. Going through the ups and downs of a collegiate volleyball season and being pushed to a new level every day, you really learn to appreciate the people that you have around you. Every single girl that I have had the opportunity to play with in my four years at UNM has made an impact in my life. I will miss the competitiveness of practice and games, I will miss Johnson Gym, and I will even miss the long road trips that everyone loves oh so much.
Q: What things are you most proud of from your time at UNM?
A: One thing that I am most proud of from my time at UNM is being able to be on the court and making a positive contribution for people like Hannah, Chantale, Cassie, and Julia when they are breaking through walls and setting records. Being able to help and watch my team succeed in whatever way I can is one of the most gratifying things about my time here. I am also very proud of myself for being able to graduate in three years with a degree that I wasn’t supposed to be able to finish while I was still playing volleyball because it would be too demanding. I am proud of myself for going against the odds and finishing two degrees, and doing it all while travelling and maintaining myself in the gym as well.
Q: How was it being coached by Jeff Nelson?
A: Jeff has pushed me as a person and a player more than I can explain. On millions of occasions, Jeff says, “I wouldn’t expect this from you if I didn’t know how good of a player you are.” Even though we might have butted heads a little bit due to my stubbornness and his stubbornness not to let me stubborn, he never gave up on pushing me to my limits mentally and physically every day.
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Q: What would you tell the next generation of Lobo volleyball players about playing at UNM?
A: Four years flies by, so don’t let it slip through your fingers and not give everything you have every day. These four years give you a chance to find yourself and figure out who you are as a person and as a player, so make the most of every second. Make friends, make memories, cry a little, laugh a lot, push yourself, don’t stress, and most of all never forget why you started playing volleyball. After all, that’s what got you here, isn’t it?
Q: If you could go back to your first year at New Mexico, what would you want to tell your younger self about college?
A: If I could go back to my first year of college at UNM, I would tell myself not to let myself stand in my way because the only thing that can really hold you back is yourself. I would tell myself to embrace every moment you get on the court because it is not something you can do forever. Every touch, every word, and every second, make them count.
Q: How was it like traveling to Australia and Europe?
A: Travelling to Australia with the team was an amazing opportunity. It is so cool to be able to play national teams, to explore the world, and to make memories with the girls that mean so much to me. I still look back on all of my pictures and wish that I could go back! I think that playing in Europe really helped me grow as a person and as a player. I realized that the world is so much bigger than our own little circle and that I have so much to explore and see before I get old and senile! Playing alongside other girls from our conference was also unexplainable because it made me realize how tight a team can be even though when we got back to America, we were supposed to be rivals again. I made such amazing friends and experienced so many things and I could not be more thankful that I got the opportunity to visit all of those countries.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: Well, I already graduated once, but after the spring when I complete my psychology degree, I will be starting on my masters. I am in the process of applying to graduate school for the fall and will hopefully get in and reach my final goal of completing a Masters in Speech and Hearing Sciences. I do not know whether or not I will continue on at the pro level overseas, but it is something that is in the works right now and would be a dream come true.
Q: What has it been like playing both indoor and beach? What’s it been like starting a whole new sport?
A: One word, crazy. From trying to maintain all of the hard classes and school work, being in season all year round is absolutely crazy. But I wouldn’t change it for the world. Starting beach has been one of the most gratifying experiences because it has helped me grow as a player. It is amazing to know that our team is the pioneers for such an amazing sport, and I hope that the beach program continues to grow and thrive and I know it will accomplish great things.