DAVIS, Calif. — There may be four more matches remaining in the regular season, but for three members of the UC Davis women's volleyball team, Friday night's match against No. 19 Hawai'i will hold special significance.

Design major Ally Reyes, political science major Jackie Graves, and human development major Lauren Matias, will don their jersey's and take the floor at The Pavilion for the last time against the Rainbow Wahine for a 7 p.m. first serve, given one more chance to compete in front of the hometown faithful.

The memories on and off the court are numerous for the trio who have helped the Aggies to 60 victories entering Friday night. However, while they are looking forward to the challenge of taking down one of the nation's top programs, Reyes, Graves, and Matias, took time out of their busy schedules to reflect on their careers at UC Davis and share their thoughts about their four years as Aggies.

What eventually won you over and made you pick UC Davis?
ALLY REYES: Between the beautiful campus, the top academics, and competitive athletics, I just felt like I couldn't go wrong choosing UC Davis. Something just felt right about it when I stepped foot on campus.

JACKIE GRAVES: Deciding between UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Davis, was a really difficult decision. I was able to narrow my options down to UCLA and Davis. I ultimately picked UC Davis for three main reasons. The first being that UCLA was a little too close to my home, Pomona, while Davis was the right distance away to experience a new place. The second being that my sister was a student here at the time, and Davis became a home away from home; when my parents came up, they could visit us both, which was really nice. Lastly, I choose the school because of the academics. Davis is a top 10 public university and that was a huge factor in my decision.

LAUREN MATIAS: I wanted to pick a school that I would love if volleyball wasn't in the picture anymore. I wanted a school that would challenge me academically and where I would leave with a prestigious degree. UC Davis is a top-five public university and that was something that instantly won me over! I also really enjoyed the atmosphere when I first got onto campus and its college town feel.

What are your memories about first arriving on campus? Nervous? Excited? Anxious?
AR: I was extremely excited about starting college and the freedom of being on my own for the first time. I remember being really nervous about volleyball and starting double days right away because I didn't know what to expect.

JG: When I first arrived on campus over summer for double days, I remember being extremely nervous, yet super excited for all the events to come. I was especially happy about being part of a small community due to how large the campus is. I was nervous that I would not fit in right away, but it was actually a smooth transition. The schedule was hard, but my teammates were really nice and welcoming.

LM: I remember I was so nervous to get to campus for my freshman year. I had no idea how ANYTHING worked. Yet, I was so excited to play and finally live out my dream of playing Division I volleyball, but I was living in complete confusion for a few months!

Compare your first days at UC Davis to now. How do you think you've grown academically/personally/athletically during your four years?
AR: I've grown so much during my time here. One of the biggest takeaways for me has been how much I learned about myself from playing volleyball that has translated to all other aspects of my life apart from volleyball. Athletically, the mental side of my game has seen the most growth these past four years, and I've been able to carry that over into my academic experience and personal life as well.

JG: I think I have grown into a person that is very thoughtful with the actions that I take. I feel as if I used to be someone who was very quick to speak or jump to conclusions, and now I take time to consider perspectives and different ways to handle things. Academically, I have always performed pretty highly and this has been a constant throughout my career here at Davis. I love to learn and challenge myself; I can never know enough. Athletically, I feel that I have grown tremendously. I used to lack confidence and now I have changed how I talk to myself and that has opened up my world and made volleyball much simpler.

LM: I have definitely matured a ton since my freshman year. I have a lot more experience now, so I have the ability to use my voice to lead the team and to help point the freshmen in the right direction. I also have learned what works best for me academically and have continued to use those strategies all these years. I have also learned what works best for me academically and have continued to use those strategies all these years. I have also improved immensely in my volleyball game. I have gained a lot of confidence and refined the mental side of my game. This has helped me reach a whole new level physically.

What words would you use to describe being a part of the women's volleyball program?
AR: I would use the word challenging. Coming into it, I knew being a part of a Division I volleyball team was going to be challenging, but my experience here has given this word a whole new meaning. I experienced a lot of highs and a lot of lows, but I'm grateful for the experience, growth, and lessons I've learned from the challenges I have faced.

LM: It has been very challenging, but has prepared me to take on the world. I've also loved the memories and relationships I have created here.

What was the biggest "shock to the system" when making the transition to high school life-college life and high school/club volleyball-collegiate volleyball?
AR: The biggest difference for me with the volleyball transition was the speed of the game. It's a lot faster at the college level and it took me a while to catch up at first. The biggest shock transitioning to college life was being completely in charge of myself. It's all fun and games until you suddenly have to make your own doctor appointments without your mom's help.

JG: I think the sheer amount of volleyball was a shock to me. Going from three practices a week to practice every day and long travel weekends was not something I was prepared for. Although, it was nice that we got to experience how much time our season requires of us right away in the fall because, from there on out, every other quarter was significantly easier to handle.

LM: I think the biggest shock for me was how fast the game was. Every single player was the best player in her area, so the level of play was a lot harder than what I was used to. Also, there's definitely a huge mental side of the game I rarely had to think about at the high school level. Everyone in college is very physical so, to outplay teams, you need to have a consistent mentality. The hard thing about having a consistent mentality is that it comes with time and experience on the court.

Favorite team memory/memories?
AR: Some of my favorite team memories are just the times we spent together. Road trips were especially fun and a good opportunity for team bonding. One of my favorite memories was whitewater rafting down the Yuba River my junior year. We still talk about it to this day. One of my favorite volleyball memories is playing Hawai'i in the Stan Sheriff Center this season. Although it was a heartbreaking loss, it was the first time our program has taken Hawaii to five games in their home gym. The energy you feel playing in front of almost 7,000 fans is unmatched.

JG: I absolutely love our team bonding trips during preseason. Specifically, the whitewater rafting and the trip to the water park were my favorite.

LM: There have been hundreds of nameless moments throughout my four years that have been so much fun. Some that stand out to me would be beating Long Beach State at home my sophomore year for the first time in program history. Also, when we went whitewater rafting before the start of my junior season was such a fun team bonding event and so memorable. However, ANYTHING with Jackie and Ally are my favorite moments. Our bond is unreal!

Favorite spots on campus to study, hangout, etc.?
AR: My favorite place to study on campus is the CoHo because there's a lot of study space and, most importantly, food! Another spot I study at a lot is the library. I don't particularly like the vibes of the library but, Lauren Matias, loves to study at the library and you have to make sacrifices for the ones you love (and I because I always need a study buddy). Whenever I want to just relax somewhere on campus, I go to the arboretum. It's beautiful and being surrounded by nature helps me to de-stress.

JG: For sure the CoHo because they have coffee and food! If I am just hanging out, I really enjoy the hammocks in the quad and the arboretum.

LM: I love the CoHo because there's great coffee, food, and spots to study. However, if I have to study all day and grind, I'll go to the library because the atmosphere there is very conducive to studying.

How would you sum up your four years as an Aggie to those who might be considering UC Davis?
AR: UC Davis is a really special place. I was lucky to have both a "big school" experience overall while also having a "small school" feel with the tight-knit athlete community. I've met some really unique and genuine individuals during my time here and have formed some life-long friendships. Not many people have the opportunity to be at a top-five public university while competing in a highly competitive volleyball conference. Not only was I competing on the court, but also in the classroom.

JG: It goes by quick! I would have to say my four years have been a lot of work and fun! Being a student-athlete at Davis is no joke. If you aren't at practice, you're doing homework or vice-versa. There is some time for fun, but having discipline is important. I am so grateful to have learned these life skills so early on.  

LM: It's crazy to think that my volleyball career is wrapping up. It feels like yesterday I was a freshman coming in and the seniors were telling me 'get ready, it goes fast.' I was so hesitant to believe that. The last four years I have grown so much as a student-athlete and have made so many memories and relationships that will last a lifetime. I have met people through sports that will forever be in my life which wouldn't have been possible without this experience. It was such a challenging ride but, at the end of the day, I think it was the right path for me that has groomed me into a world-ready adult.

What advice would you give to future UC Davis volleyballers who follow in your footsteps?
AR: I have two pieces of advice for future Aggie volleyball players. The first is probably the most cliché thing I could say, but I have to say it anyways. Embrace every moment of your experience because it goes by fast. Embrace the good, the bad, the ups, and the downs. There's not a lot of people who have the unique experience of being a college athlete and going through what you go through everyday. Most importantly, embrace being a part of a team and the relationships you will make in this program. The challenges you will endure will make the moments of joy that much sweeter. The second piece of advice is to believe in yourself and your abilities. You wouldn't be in the position you were in if you weren't good enough.

JG: Focus on school! It's awesome to be good at a craft you enjoy, however school and what you do with your knowledge is what is going to get you far in life. Lastly, be a good person. At the end of the day, that is all that truly matters.

LM: Have confidence in your game the moment you step on campus. Remember you were recruited here because you are good enough and will bring so much to this team. Don't wait until senior year to have confidence in yourself, believe in yourself before anyone else can. Be the best teammate you can be, support them through ANYTHING. Don't take anything for granted because your time here will fly by.

With your professional lives ahead of you, what are you going to do when you "grow up"? Do you have jobs lined up yet or plans to pursue a particular path whether it be a job, grad school, etc.?
AR: I definitely see myself working in the creative field. As of now, I have plans to pursue a career as a brand designer which is someone who establishes a cohesive brand identity through creating things such as ad campaigns, packaging, promotional materials, business systems, etc.

JG: I plan to work for either a lobbying firm or a law firm this next year while studying for the LSAT. After that I am going to law school to either become an entertainment lawyer or an immigration lawyer.

LM: I will be pursuing my master's in education and my multiple subject teaching credential next fall in order to become an elementary school teacher. I'm currently applying for graduate schools! I am also working right now for a preschool and, after volleyball ends, I will be working close to full time!

How do you think the Aggie EVO program has helped shape your future endeavors when it comes to your professional careers?
AR: I think the EVO program has helped me think about my career plans after college more so than I would have otherwise. I feel supported and more informed about the job field through the numerous resources that Aggie EVO has provided during my time here.

JG: I think the EVO program has been very helpful in exposing us to the process of getting a job, as well as how to speak with professionals. I have also appreciated the connections athletics has helped us make with companies, and the numerous student-athlete career fairs that have given us a space to put all we have learned to use.
 

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ABOUT UC DAVIS
Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley. The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, and among the top 15 public universities nationwide according to U.S. News and World Report, UC Davis offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.

AGGIE EVO
Launched in 2017-18, the Aggie EVO System is UC Davis Athletics' investment in the primary mission of preparing student-athletes for a successful "launch" after graduation. Thanks to a collaboration of alumni, university resources, corporate partners, coaches and Student-Athlete Outcomes staff, all Aggies are guided over four years to acquire the skills, knowledge, opportunities and tools to better know and navigate the "World of Work" after graduating from UC Davis. Follow the Aggie EVO system on Twitter and Instagram at @AggieEVO.

MARYA WELCH INITIATIVE
Named after the former physical education instructor, coach and Dean of Women who founded women's sports on the campus 25 years before the passage of Title IX, the Marya Welch Initiative for Women's Athletics provides comprehensive support for UC Davis' 16 women's athletics programs. Through the support of the Marya Welch Initiative and its group members, student-athletes are provided the best possible opportunity to succeed inside the classroom, and in competition, through special project gifts and by increasing visibility and participation at women's events throughout the year. All gifts to the Marya Welch Initiative are matched 1:1, doubling the impact on our women's programs. Visit https://give.ucdavis.edu/ATHG/324041 for more information.