D3Week Profiles: Mary Washington Volleyball Players Emma Murphy and Emma Olson

D3Week Profiles: Mary Washington Volleyball Players Emma Murphy and Emma Olson

Two Mary Washington volleyball players, Emma Murphy and Emma Olson, discuss why they chose Division III for their college experience. Emma Murphy is a junior business administration major from Richmond, while Emma Olson, from Oakton, VA, is a sophomore history major who plans to stay for her master’s in elementary education.

Emma Murphy: Why DIII? In high school when I began looking at colleges and universities, I realized that I did not want to go to a big school. My high school was fairly small and I knew that in order for me to excel in my academics that I needed to have smaller class sizes in college. So, I decided early on in my search that I was not even going to apply or look at any big universities. Not going to lie, when I was recruited by the University of Mary Washington I was unsure of the school because I had never even heard of it before. I was apprehensive about visiting, but my parents insisted on going to Mary Washington one spring afternoon. The campus was so beautiful; nothing like the schools I had visited before. Ball Circle was filled with flowers, green grass, white Adirondack chairs, and students everywhere. Not to mention the absolutely gorgeous Anderson Center. It just felt like home and I knew that I wanted to come back. That’s when I knew I had found my home for the next four years. Numerous people told me that as an athlete I needed to make sure that I loved the school for the school, not just because I would be playing volleyball there. That was truly the best advice anyone has ever given me. I chose the University of Mary Washington for the school, and the added bonus was that I would be able to continue playing the sport I love for the next four years. I play for my coaches; the people who I have trusted to make me reach my greatest potential. I play for my teammates; my absolute best friends. I play for the love of the game; at the end of the day volleyball is and always has been the best part of my day. Today as I am about to start my last season of volleyball ever, I am proud to say that I have no regrets with choosing the University of Mary Washington to play volleyball. It was easily the best decision I have ever made!

Emma Olson: I chose DIII because I wanted to have a college experience and not "sell my soul" to a DI or DII school. I wanted to stay close to home and to play for the love of the game! I was not interested in getting paid to play or have my education paid for. I chose the University of Mary Washington for a few reasons. First, they offered my major of history and had a 5 years master of elementary education program. I absolutely fell in love with the school the first time I visited campus and the facilities were stunning! I loved the competitive environment that Mary Wash had to offer and the Eagle Nation and family like atmosphere is an awesome thing to be a part of. I am so blessed play for the University of Mary Washington!