In all sports, there are players that come and go and are quickly forgotten once they have left. Sarah Obras will not be one of those players.
When her season ends, Obras will leave the program holding quite a few records, the most important being the career kills record in the Mid-American Conference. But for her, it's not the individual rewards that are appreciated the most. It's all about team.
"They're not something I'm going to look back on and say I've accomplished these records," Obras said. "I'm going to look back on these records and say, 'Wow look at the girls that helped me accomplish these records,' They deserve them, too. Even more than I do."
Her teammates feel the same way. Middle attacker Kristin Westhof said it's the minor details that make Obras stand out.
"She knows the game really well," Westhof said. "She's just good at picking little things out like tip here or something."
Westhof said she is amazed that the knee injury which she suffered against Miami (Ohio) last season hasn't slowed her down.
"Even though her knee is doing a lot better and her jumps [are] up to where they were before, she's so good technically that it still doesn't matter; she still gets her kills," Westhof said.
Setter Angie Parrell said that it is her personality and consistency that show through the most.
"She's always a go-to hitter when we're in trouble," Parrell said. "I know that when I can set Sarah the ball, we'll get a kill almost every time. I'm always confident in here, and I think that's a lot for a setter to have with their players.
When coach Randy Litchfield has one of his infamous moments, Parrell said that Obras is there to pick everyone up.
"Randy - he pushes us," Parrell said. "He kind of grinds on us, and she's always there to keep it in perspective. What Randy says, the meaning behind it, she doesn't let it get us down."
As her career at Ball State University closes in the next few weeks, Obras will have time to reflect on everything she accomplished. But for now, it's everyone else who played a role that she likes to think about.
"My four years here have been a blessing," Obras said. "Volleyball, school, everything. The seniors and upperclassmen have all had major impacts on who I am."
Obras said her teammates also deserve credit for helping her become what she is today.
"You can't get the hit without the pass or the hit without the set," Obras said.
When it comes to pointing fingers at who Obras owes her success, she credits faith and the men on the sideline.
"Number one is God because these talents are given to me through blessings," Obras said. "But I owe a lot to the coaches who have put up with me, been patient with me and have done everything that I have needed to become the player I am. They saw what kind of a player I was and knew what kind of teaching I needed to push me to where I am."
Besides being known as a volleyball record-holder, Obras said she would like to be known more for the person she was off the court.
"I believe the person you are in turn reflects the type of player you are," Obras said. "I want these girls and this program to say, 'She was a great person, and that made her a great player.'"
Looking back to when she was a freshman, Obras said she could not have seen herself where she is today as a player.
"I remember the very first game I played and my first kill," Obras said. "I pretty much just closed my eyes and hit the ball. My first swing ever. And I remember thinking, 'Well that wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be.' And everything just went from there."
Passion is what got Obras to Ball State, and determination is what shaped her as a player.
"I knew I loved the game, but I didn't know where that would take me," said Obras. "I've worked hard because I loved the game so much."
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