Written by Athletic Communications Intern Nevaeh Wall
Royal Reflection Spotlight shines a light on the senior student-athletes who embody what it means to be a Royal.
In this second edition, we feature Erin Gretsky of The University of Scranton volleyball team as she reflects on the moments that defined her time here.
Favorite Scranton memory?
My favorite Scranton memory was when we went to 5 sets with Juniata in the regular season at home. The energy in that gym is something I'll never forget.
One lesson Scranton athletics taught you?
One lesson Scranton athletics taught me was to be there for your team whether you were in the role you wanted or not. Coming into Scranton I never expected to be in an important role for us. However, as my career went on, whether I was on the bench or on the court, I realized being supportive and there for my team was more important than what my role was. It really taught me how to be there for others even when I was unhappy.
Pregame or pre-competition ritual you'll miss most?
A pregame ritual I'll miss is definitely our locker room time before games. I was usually the person to play our "hype up" music, and it was always so fun getting hyped before a game.
Teammate who made the biggest impact on you?
The teammate who made the biggest impact on me was Erin Keaveny. She helped me so much throughout my career and was a big part of my growth as a player
Best advice you've received during your career?
The best advice I received during my career was to just have fun. It seems simple but it truly helped me so much going through the ups and downs of athletics. Once I started just seeing it as a fun activity the stress and anxiety of being on the court left my mind.
What does being a Royal mean to you?
To me, being a Royal means being kind and respectful while also being competitive. No matter what happened at practice when we would be extremely competitive, the team was always very friendly and kind to each other.
What are you most proud of from your time at Scranton?
I'm most proud of where I came in as a freshman to where I left as a senior. My freshman year I pretty much never saw the court. Now looking back on my senior season, I was a part of many pivotal and important games that I never thought I would be. Specifically, starting in the landmark championship. I also took on a leadership role for my team and I am very proud of how far the team has come culture wise.
What's next after graduation?
After graduation I am attending New York Law school to pursue my J.D. degree and eventually become a lawyer.
What surprised you most about yourself this past season?
What surprised me most about myself this season was my resilience. I had a lot of setbacks whether it be physical pain or emotional. No matter what was going on, I always found a way to bounce back and be there for my team.
How do you hope to be remembered by your coaches and your teammates?
I hope to be remembered by my coaches and teammates as someone who was always there for everybody while also putting in my own work. I take a lot of pride in caring for others and I hope my teammates and coaches saw that in me every day.
