Letters from alumnae: Likica Grceva
Each Thursday this summer, Bryant University Volleyball alumnae will reflect on their experiences as a student-athlete at Bryant and playing for Coach Garlacy.
This Thursday's installment is from Likica Grceva, who played at Bryant from 2006-07.
"I can write about my experience playing volleyball at Bryant University being an amazing experience and wrap it up all in a nice bow, but the truth is that not every day is peachy.
"When I first transferred to Bryant, I was going through a lot in my personal life. My first semester, I found myself on academic probation. As a developing 19-year-old mind, I gave myself all the excuses – I had blinders on, the full picture wasn't clear. It wasn't until Theresa Garlacy sat me down – this was by far one of the most grounding experiences. This was tough love that she knew I needed, Coach Theresa was clear and direct about her expectations. I want to be as real as possible about this. I didn't always love my coaches – I had good days and I had bad days. None the less, I never doubted the process, I always knew and trusted that Coach Garlacy had my best interest at heart, she wanted to see me succeed and not just on the volleyball court. The coaches that make the biggest impact in your life are not the ones with the longest winning columns, they are the ones that see your potential, challenge you and encourage you to reach it. Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities, they vary in their desires to reach their potential.
"You will be mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted. You will be challenged and pushed past your limits in the gym, in the classroom and even in your personal life and relationships. Ted and Theresa were remarkable at recognizing when you needed the extra push and when to let you figure it out on your own. They developed me on a much bigger level than the game of volleyball. They taught me perseverance and grit. They helped me create a vision and turn adversity into my advantage. Being a student athlete is by far one of the most demanding things you will do in your life and it will also be one of the best. Cherish every single moment, you are a part of an extremely accomplished network of women."
Bryant begins its 2019 season Friday, Aug. 30, when the Bulldogs face San Diego State in a tournament hosted by FGCU in Fort Myers, Florida. The Bulldogs' home opener will be Friday, Sept. 6, when Bryant hosts North Dakota in its first match of the Hampton Inn-vitational.
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