University of Tennessee Athletics
LADY VOL SWIM DIARY -- ASHLEY KNAPIK
October 19, 2006 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Oct. 19, 2006
Like most freshman, I came to Tennessee unsuspecting of what was awaiting me. It was a new state, a different schedule, and most of all, a new team.
I was nervous about my first practice. I was unsure of how I would fit in with the girls as a training group. I had been so comfortable with everyone back home that I was worried I wouldn't be accepted here the same way. Then I remembered exactly why I picked Tennessee over the other schools I looked at. I chose to be a Lady Vol because when I visited this school, the girls here made me feel like I was at home. They were so accepting and nice to me that I knew I could fit in.
Once I remembered why I chose to come to Tennessee, I knew I had come for the right reasons. Now it was just a matter of time before I adjusted to a newnew and different "family," other than what the one I had been used to. Yet, thatThis is exactly what these girls are; they are a family. They are a support system for each other and they are there for you me whenever you I need them.
As a support system, we need to rely on each other for strength and the knowledge that we gave our all at everything in order to make us ourselves the best team we can be. With that being said, I know these next four years here at Tennessee are not going to be easy. If it were easy, everyone would be able to do it. There are going to be rough times, training will be hard, the meets will be hard, and the mental toughness we'll need to succeed won't always be the easiest thing to have call upon. Yet, being a Lady Vol means accepting these challenges with all of your strength, commitment, and heart that you have to give.
