When choosing a college to continue a sport at the collegiate level, there are many factors. For these three girls, academics was a deciding factor in their college decision. These three senior women have committed to a school on the East Coast with highly esteemed educational programs and Division III athletics.
Senior Lizzy Hamel chose to continue her hockey career at Colby. Ever since she was a child Lizzy dreamed of playing Division I hockey but as she explored her options she realized the importance of finding a school that fit her learning style. She knew individualized learning, small class sizes, and a relationship with her professors could help her reach her highest academic potential. Additionally, she explained that at the Division I level, she would constantly be battling for ice time, and would probably not play much as a freshman. She didn’t want to jump into a situation where she wouldn’t get to enjoy the sport she loves. As Hamel created a relationship with the Colby Coach, she knew the school was the right choice. Even though Colby is far from home she knew she could make a home there. “There’s so many things that factor into your first year at college because you’re not at home anymore. You’re by yourself. So it is important to think through these things,” Hamel said.
CMU is a very well-known engineering school, so that was a huge plus, along with the fact that I could pursue undergrad research while on the volleyball team
— Izzy Saffert
Ever since she was a kid, senior Ellery Clark has dreamed of a career in biomedical sciences, but she also wanted to continue her volleyball career. Clark has chosen to attend Tufts University which is in the NESCAC conference. Initially, Clark was exploring options across all divisions but as she narrowed down, she knew she wanted to explore an area outside of Minnesota. She is excited to be a part of the competitive volleyball program next year while immersing herself in academic opportunities. “Tufts was really a perfect fit. Academically and volleyball-wise. So that kind of really cemented my decision,” Clark said.
Similar to Clark, senior Izzy Saffert has also chosen to attend a Division III school out east. Saffert’s choice was Carnegie Mellon, driven by her choice of major. She had always wanted to pursue a career in engineering but she learned that at Division I universities she may not be able to balance engineering programs and volleyball. “CMU is a very well-known engineering school, so that was a huge plus, along with the fact that I could pursue undergrad research while on the volleyball team,” Saffert said.