Senior Olivia Stasevich's senior season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A member of the second winningest pair in GSU history, she recently decided that she would come back to the sand for one more chance at the NCAA Championship. Read as Stasevich discusses her decision to play while also starting the speech sciences and disorders graduate program in the Fall.
Q: What was your primary reason for wanting to play another season?
A:I wanted to stay and play another year because I felt like the four seniors along with the rest of the team had a lot of unfinished business. We trained so hard to perform well and achieve as a team, and we were robbed the opportunity to show it.
Q: What were some of the factors that went into making your decision?
A: A big part of my decision was first making sure that I was ready to fully commit to another year. I never wanted to return and be half way committed. I also thought a lot about how it would make the rest of the team feel. I wanted to be sure to speak to the other possibly returning seniors and discuss how the rest of the team dynamic would change for everyone if we stayed next year.
Q: Do you believe playing beach volleyball while taking graduate level classes will be much different than being a student-athlete at the undergraduate level?
A: I definitely think that playing while taking graduate classes will be much harder. I had taken a lot of online classes during my first four years. I want to make sure I balance beach volleyball with my clinical hours, which will help me dive into my career field.
Q: What is your goal for next season?
My goal for next season is to allow the seniors who would have taken my place to step-up and take that leadership role. I want them to have the team dynamic they wanted to have for their final year. I just want to help push the team to reach their full potential while also being somewhat of a follower for the first time.
Q: What was your reaction to other seniors returning?
A: I had stayed in contact with the other seniors during most of the time of the decision process, so I had a good idea of who was going to return and who was not. Most of us were pumped when the NCAA allowed us the opportunity to return.
Q: What has being a student-athlete at Georgia State meant to you?
A: My GSU teammates, coaches, and staff have meant everything to me over the last four years. That is why it was ultimately an easy decision for me to return. I have learned so much from this team. I am excited to see what another year of learning will look like for me and everyone involved with this program.
