Featured Senior: Jennifer Lane

What was your most memorable moment throughout your career at Willamette?

The best moment of my career was beating PLU on our senior night. Lauren Stiles and I have never beat PLU before in our career and on a night dedicated to us we swept them. It was especially memorable because Lauren had been battling an injury all season, but we both got to end our careers together on the court just like how we started. The last point was even a pass by Lauren and a kill by me and I will never forget that moment and all the other ones playing together.

Describe your feelings when you found out the athletic events were canceled for the remainder of the year.

It was shocking to find out all the sports were canceled for the rest of the year. I can't even imagine how I would be feeling if I didn't get the chance to finish my four years of playing the sport I loved. I know a lot of people who are spring sport athletes and it is just heartbreaking. You put so much time and energy into your sport and perfecting your abilities to get a chance to use them one last time, and then it gets taken away. I wish I could support all the spring sport athletes who came to our games and cheered us on during our season.

How have you been handling life in quarantine? Are you home or on campus? What's it like learning online and not being around your teammates?

I went home to California for a little while but I am back in Salem. Luckily I have a five-month-old puppy that is keeping me busy and keeping me outside during quarantine, but I am missing my friends like crazy. It is definitely a change to go online for classes and I have definitely forgotten it was a school day instead of a weekend a few times. I miss my teammates and all the fun and goofiness they give. We try to FaceTime together and Zoom but its not the same.

What has your experience as a Bearcat taught you?

My experience has taught me to accept challenges as they come to you and use them as an opportunity to make yourself a better student, athlete, and member of the community. I have grown in many ways since becoming a Bearcat, and the one I am most proud of is being a strong leader and support system for my teammates and friends.

If you could leave one piece of advice for future Bearcats, what would it be?

I know everyone says it goes by fast, but it truly does and if you don't put the effort into making your time here great then you will be left feeling disappointed. What you leave here with is what you put into it. Surrounding yourself with great friends and community makes everything worth it. You'll never know if your last semester gets cut short.

What are your future plans following graduation?

I will be living in the Portland area working and coming to watch as much volleyball as I can.

From their teammates

What was your most memorable moment of Jennifer?

Shyla Sato: When she got the final kill to end the game on Senior Night against Pacific Lutheran

Carmen Camacho-Platas: Jen got the kill on the last point during our match against Pacific Lutheran on Senior Night. She had been getting kill after kill. Once that last hit was made and we won the match, she immediately hugged Lauren Stiles and started crying (happy tears). We were jumping, cheering, hugging, all surrounding our two seniors crying in the middle. It was one of the happiest moments for everyone on the team.

Steele Jasa: There were a couple memorable moments that I had with Jen this season, but I think what is most memorable to me is how much I looked up to her! She led by example in everything we did, always giving 110%. In every game, practice, and workout Jen was always giving her best, and it really brought everyone up around her. Her work ethic is something everyone on our team aspires to achieve, and she set a great example.

Lexi Martin: When she slept with her stuffed monkey the first night of our opening tournament

Kyana Benjamin: Doing a Photoshop with her and Nikki.

Emma Porter: Setting her all season. She was always my go-to because I could count on her to put the ball straight down.

How has Jennifer impacted you in your sport or in life?

Shyla Sato: She has been a leader on the court and pushed each and every one of us to be better players. She challenged us to work even harder and to fight for every point.

Carmen Camacho-Platas: Jen is one of the strongest leaders our volleyball program has ever had. She's always been a role model on and off the court. She made us want to play for each other, but most importantly, we wanted to play for her. We wanted to make her proud and give her the best final season possible. We all have so much admiration for her, her skills, her work ethic, her character. We love her on and off the court because not only was she an amazing player, she was someone we also felt comfortable talking to. She was a leader but never a dictator. She was approachable and caring.

Steele Jasa: She showed me how hard work really does pay off. She had an incredible senior season and all her hard work showed through in every game we played. She managed to be available every play of every point and when she got the ball it was almost always a point for us.

Lexi Martin: Coming in as a freshman and being able to look up to her has been so amazing. She has inspired me to want to become as good as her. Her fire and passion for the sport encouraged me every day to be better.

Natalie Klotz: Jen is a natural born leader. I will always look to her as an example of how to lead with grace and strength, even after my volleyball career is over.

Kyana Benjamin: Jen's competitiveness always pushed me to be my best self. Without her support and motivation, I would not have been able to gain as much from the program.

Emma Porter: She's the best captain/leader I've ever had. I'd like to have her leadership skills on and off the court.

What makes Jennifer special?

Shyla Sato: She is an amazing middle blocker who we relied on when we were struggling. She encouraged us and never gave up on our team.

Carmen Camacho-Platas: I've never seen her not giving 100%. In practice, games, and the weight room, she is always giving it her all. She almost creates an aura of strength. You can feel how badly she wants to be the best she can be. She always wants to be better and is willing to do what it takes to grow. I've never seen her kind of determination and resilience in anyone else before.

Lexi Martin: Her heart, laugh, and passion for the sport

Kyana Benjamin: Jen has a personality that makes those around her want to support her.

Emma Porter: She tries hard no matter what. Gives the team her all.

Is there anything Jennifer brought to the program that will have a lasting impact?

Shyla Sato: She was the best middle blocker I have ever played with during my volleyball career and I think we can all agree that she fought hard on the court.

Carmen Camacho-Platas: Resilience, determination, grit, mental strength, discipline, heart

Lexi Martin: Her seriousness on the court and her effort for every ball. She wanted to be the best and she was. It inspires me to work my hardest in hopes I can be like her. I'm so proud of her!

Kyana Benjamin: Jen set the standard for what it means to be a hard working, dedicated teammate. Her drive to play volleyball has impacted every teammate.

Emma Porter: She's leaving the program being the best middle blocker/attacker Willamette has ever had.