When the last game of the season finally ended, the lone senior was surrounded by a never-ending flow of hugs, bouquets of flowers and a throng of well-wishers. She shook hands, hugged and laughed with everyone around her, a perfect embodiment of what senior night really is. But through all of the pomp on Wednesday night, none of it had set in yet for Meredith Ware.
“It hasn’t really hit me yet that I am completely finished, because it feels like any other game, just with a little more attention towards me,” Ware said. “It’s definitely weird right now, but I think it’ll hit me on Monday when I’m not going to practice or weights.”
The match itself was taken in three sets by SMU, but from Ware’s perspective, the loss wasn’t a dream outcome, but the simple act of having one last night under the home lights gave her something to hold on to.
“I’m very happy that my last game was at home and I got to play for our fans, my friends and my family. That’s very lucky.”
Despite her constant enthusiasm for the team and devotion to the season, Ware knew that this game was approaching and was working on looking at it as a closing chapter as she moves on to the next one that life will present.
“I know I’m going to miss it. I’m going to miss these girls and coaches so much,” Ware said. “It’s been such a big part of my life since I was nine, so knowing that I’m not going to have to go to practice every day is going to feel very weird. I’m going to be sad about it, but I have to start the rest of my life.”
The now-former defensive specialist has her eyes on swapping her jersey for a white coat in the near future as she begins studying for the Medical College Admission Test.
“I’ll be able to refocus my energy toward school, the MCAT, getting ready for medical school. I’m just going to use it as a good opportunity for me to really develop.”
