Playing on a team with 37 consecutive Sunshine State Conference victories can be intimidating, to say the least. Yet after four years of playing for the UT volleyball program, senior middle blocker Meagan Burke seems to be up to the task. While the UT volleyball program is highly competitive and currently the most successful Division II program in the country, Burke provides a strong mix of skill and positive attitude on the court that keeps her a dominating force and propels the team through each victory.
“Meagan’s a fun-loving kid and brings a lot of energy,” head coach Chris Catanach said. “She motivates a number of people and she’s also great for lighting up the team. She’s a jokester and is entertaining. It’s great to have a personality like that on the team.”
While Burke’s lightening mood helps the team remain relaxed through intense matches, much of the team’s success, she says, comes from players and coaches that are all fighting for the same goal. A unified pursuit of a national championship title is what keeps the team motivated and prosperous in their day-to-day endeavors.
“Our team and our coaching staff prides ourselves on working hard on and off the court,” Burke said. “Whether it’s in practice, in the weight room, or in the classroom, we give it our all to be successful. Our team all has the same end goal so we are all willing to do whatever it takes to be victorious.”
Being one of only three seniors on the team, the level of responsibility to be a leader for her teammates has escalated, and Burke has risen to the occasion. Whether she is competing to the top of her ability or not, Burke has used her experience to raise the level of command she takes on the court.
“She struggled early on in her career, where if she wasn’t playing well, she couldn’t lead,” Catanach said. “But she’s improved that. Now she can lead even if she’s not performing well. That is a huge improvement that will carry on even until the next stage of life as well.”
While the understanding of the game that Burke has acquired over her time spent playing for Tampa is something to be noted, what really sets her apart from her other teammates is her participation on not only the volleyball team, but also the softball team at UT. Not only is Burke one of the only dual-sport athletes at UT, but she also excels academically, maintaining above a 3.5 GPA while playing all year round.
“There’s no other dual sport athlete here that is playing on two teams that are NCAA regional level or better every year,” Catanach said. “She plays regular season and postseason in both sports. That in itself is almost impossible to do these days. That to me sets her apart from any athlete at UT, not just the volleyball players.”
Keeping up with a schedule of two collegiate sports, as well as the work attached with graduating as an Allied Health major is enough to make any student overwhelmed. However, Burke assures that the opportunities that she has been given to play the sports she loves and form significant relationships top all of the hard work that she has endured.
“It’s really not as bad as everyone thinks it is,” Burke said. “It helps me to manage my time wisely and plan out my daily schedules. Also, I feel privileged to be able to form amazing friendships with girls on both the volleyball team as well as the softball team. I have made many friendships that will last forever, and I couldn’t imagine my college experience without them. I am so glad I chose to play on both teams, and if given the opportunity, I would do it all over again.”
Tess Sheets can be reached at tess.sheets@theminaretonline.com