Sitting here, it’s hard to believe that my career playing basketball has come to an end. Looking back, I remember the first day of pre-season. Carley Peterson, Khaleh Thomas and I were scared to death of what was to come, and many times we found ourselves asking each other how we would ever get through it. Four years later, we’re now asking each other how fast time has flown by.

Playing basketball here is probably one of the biggest accomplishments I have ever done. Coming in, especially not playing my senior year of high school due to an ankle injury, and also being the shortest on the team, made me VERY nervous. However, getting the privilege to be a part of such a close-knit family, not only to my coaches and teammates, but to our wonderful supporters, made that nervousness go away.

College basketball has helped me grow in so many ways. Not only as a player, but as a person. I experienced many emotions as a player. I experienced the great feeling of winning games and championships. I experienced the heartache of losing close games. But most importantly, I’ve established friendships that I will have for the rest of my life.

There were times were I wanted to give up, but I never did and because of that, I have become a stronger person than I ever was. I’ll always look back on these four years as the best four years of my life. I am proud to be, and will always be a Lady Blazer!! That is something that no one can ever take away from me!!!

-Janelle Collazo