I Love My Seniors!

Hey Everyone!

It is getting to that time of year again where the season is wrapping up and we start heading into the conference tournament! Before the season comes to a close, we have to pay tribute to our wonderful seniors on the team. 

For those of you who do not know, we had Senior Night last Saturday (February 21) celebrating the accomplishments of our seniors, Karly Buer, Emily Frazier, Jasmine Gardner, and Ellee Rollins. It was a day filled with reminiscing, laughter, family, friends, decorating, lots of hugs and a few tears here and there. These four girls have each impacted our team in so many ways, whether they have been here for one year or what seems like twelve (cough…cough…Emily Frazier!). It was such a joy to get to celebrate with them!  

What I want to do is just tell you a little bit more about them so that those of you who do not know them as well can also see just how great each one of them are and how greatly they will be missed!

I will start with Karly Buer. If you have read her earlier blog post, you know that she is quite the adventurer. She loves anything and everything outdoors. If you can think of anything adventurous, Karly has probably done it! One of my first memories with Karly was hiking Crabtree Falls together last summer where I got to see her passion for God’s creation with my own eyes. Karly is also very hard working, talented, caring, genuine, and humble, which can be seen in every aspect of her life. It was such a blessing to have her on the team this past year and we will definitely miss her next year - not just because she has a mean pull-up jumper, but also because she is truly a woman of God.

Next up is Emily Frazier. I always joke with her saying she’s been here forever and that she’s 28 years old, but in all honesty I am so glad she is still here. When I first came to Liberty, poor Emily was the one that had to babysit us freshmen, but she did it with a loving attitude. Emily has a way of making everyone feel comfortable and at ease. When she talks to you, you feel like you are instantly friends. Being the quiet and shy person I was (and still kind of am), Emily made it her mission to break me out of my shell. Emily also loves to have fun whether its by dancing, singing karaoke, or playing games. I am so grateful for Emily’s caring heart, cheerful attitude, strong work ethic, and love for the Lord - all of which make her the great team leader that she is and that we will miss next year.

Another girl who has been here for quite a while is Jasmine Gardner or Jas or Jazzy J or whatever you like to call her. I’ve only had the privilege of playing with Jas for one year, but I think I have gotten more bruises from her this past year than I have gotten in my entire basketball career. But I like to think they have all come out of love...she is just trying to make me tougher! Most of you know that she is powerful player on the court, but Jas is still a sweet woman of God off of the court. Jas loves talking about anything and everything that has to do with hair, nails, fashion, and food (especially those go-go applesauce pouches, she absolutely LOVES those!). Jas is always one that can make us die laughing, whether it is with her crazy snapchat stories, her clumsiness, or her funny remarks. Jas is a caring, loving, tough, funny, and hard-working woman who will be very missed next year.

Last, but definitely not least, is Miss Ellee Rollins! Ellee is one of the sweetest and most caring people I have ever met. She is one that can make anyone feel special and loved just by one conversation with her. When first talking to Ellee, I quickly saw her love for basketball, music, movies, family, friends, and most importantly, the Lord. Ellee is always on the lookout to make new friends, so if she has not found you yet, get ready because when she does you will be hooked forever! Like Emily, Ellee loves to dance, sing, and just have a great time. She too is someone that we can count on to make us laugh. Ellee’s caring heart and contagious smile are just a couple of the many reasons she will be missed next year.

I hope you have enjoyed getting to know our seniors a little bit more. I apologize for this blog's lengthiness, but I could go one for days when talking about these girls! I just love my seniors so much!

Go Flames!

Audrey Rettstatt #12

The Finale

Hi Everyone,

After 4 knee surgeries, an undergraduate degree, a master’s degree, and 5 ½ years of Liberty basketball, I am finally (and sadly!!) hanging up my shoes and saying goodbye to this amazing place I have come to call home. 

Coming from Texas back in January 2010 was a bit unique, especially for a student-athlete. Usually, athletes come to school during the summertime and take a couple classes, do some workouts, meet their teammates, and get used to college before the school year actually begins. This helps with the transition process from high school to college because it can be difficult, and this way you get to meet a lot of other athletes who are going through the same stuff you’re going through, get to know your teammates better, and get used to college courses. 

My experience had the same transition process, but different timing than the norm. My journey here at Liberty has been everything but the norm, though, so it makes sense that it started out that way.

God lead me to Liberty University and it has been one incredible journey. Liberty was not in my plans during my high school career, but after an ACL tear and a few other things, Coach Green so graciously offered me a full scholarship to continue to play basketball at Liberty and Liberty became the new plan for the future. I say plan because I used to plan my life out…a lot. Not so much anymore!

I did not think I would struggle with being so far from home. I was pretty ready to be on my own and experience life on my own (or so I thought until I wanted some food other than what was in the cafeteria (it is a five star restaurant now compared to how it used to be, let me tell you!) and I called my parents BEGGING them for a little bit of money in order that I may get some other food at the grocery store—the whole living on your own thing had a new meaning to me! 

I came to Liberty in January and the first semester was hard. The first weeks of weights were SO tough that body was pretty much in pain every day. We practice daily and traveled for games every other week. The weather was freezing cold since I came in the middle of winter, and I had 4 classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays which was a lot for me to handle. 

In addition, the only people I knew were my teammates who didn’t really even know who I  was because we just hadn’t had enough time to get to know each other since I came to campus halfway through the season. ...And I’m a social butterfly in CASE you were wondering! 

All this to say…I became pretty homesick, but wow is God is good!!! The first couple of weeks that I thought were SO difficult (Side note: they really weren’t, TRUST me…life doesn’t get easier, but with God on your side, JOY comes in circumstances and trials and they don’t have nearly the same effect on you as they would without God on your side! HE IS SO GOOD!!!!) ended up turning into the best 5 ½ years of my life thus far. 

There are multiple reasons why the last 5 ½ years have been the best of my life thus far and one of them is my incredible fiancé Sam Seaborn!! We are getting married May 28 and I CANNOT WAIT! 

I have had many trials and triumphs here at Liberty, but the trials have always turned into triumphs so technically…I’ve had a lot of triumphs! Most of the time during these trials I did not see them as triumphs in ANY way, but I knew God had a plan and I trusted Him. Even though I didn’t always understand Him or His plan at the time, I knew He would work everything out for good. (Another side note: It's okay not to understand what God is doing…He wants a relationship with you so be real with God and let Him know how you’re feeling. Just remember it’s not a one way relationship—you’ve got to listen to Him and trust Him because He’s the boss, He loves you more than you can comprehend, and He knows all!). God rewards the faithful with abundant blessings and I can see evidence of that all over my life. One of my favorite verses is Matthew 25:21—check it out if you have never read it!  

The greatest triumph I have had here at Liberty was not my basketball career, the education I received, meeting so many amazing people or even meeting my fiancé, it has been the fact that I have completely fallen in love with our Savior Jesus Christ. He ONLY is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

Senior night is next Saturday (February 21^st) and Ellee, Jasmine, Karly, and I would REALLY love the support! 

Love to all!!!

Emily Frazier #21