BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Today we start a new series called Student-Athlete Spotlight, presented by Coca-Cola, that will highlight Samford's outstanding student-athletes. Today's first episode features volleyball senior Corinne Meglic.
 
Meglic is a native of Green Bay, Wisc., but she said she has always felt at home on the Samford University campus.
 
"For me, I kind of wanted to go to a place that felt like home," Meglic said. "When I came to the Samford campus, the girls on the team were so friendly, so respectful and so nice. Just those girls and that family atmosphere really sold me. After that visit, I was like, wow, I really want to be a part of that family."


 
Meglic added that the family atmosphere extended beyond the coaches and players, but could also be felt in her classes and from her professors.
 
"Samford's classes and professors cared about you on a personal level," Meglic said. "It was that personal level that really kind of drew me away."
 
The volleyball team's 2020 season, along with all Samford fall sports seasons, have been postponed and hope to be played in the spring. Meglic said the team understands the decisions that had to be made, but it was still hard to have their season postponed.
 
"We saw it coming, but we really didn't know when," Meglic said. "We knew that a lot of decisions had to be made for us and our safety, and we respect the whole decision. But it was hard. When we first heard it, I think we were all like, ok, what if (we're playing) now, what if we're playing in the spring. I think once it sunk in to us, we were like, ok, we have to take it day-by-day and we need to just take every opportunity we can to get better. Especially in practice right now, we're just kind of getting better each and every day, no matter what it is.
 
"We know the unknown is very scary and frustrating for us," Meglic said. "But, we're still just taking it day-by-day, and we're very thankful that we have our sisters by our side."
 
Despite not having matches to prepare for, the volleyball team has been able to practice some this fall, though the hours are limited.
 
"Right now, we're only doing eight hours a week, so it's only like two or three practices a week and two or three workouts," Meglic said. "So, it's not terrible, but it is something. So, every time we're in the weight room or in the gym, we're taking advantage of that time and we're just making memories and getting better each day."
 
Meglic stepped into a starting role as a junior in 2019, helping lead the team to the SoCon Tournament and regular-season titles and an NCAA Tournament bid. Individually, she led the SoCon in both total assists (1,293) and assists per set (10.96). Despite her accomplishments, she was not named to the All-SoCon team. Meglic said, however, the team accomplishments are the most important things to her.
 
"It hurt a little bit, but the team is definitely way more important," Meglic said. "Volleyball is a team sport, and that's what really matters. And what I did on the court was for all of my teammates. I honestly didn't really look towards the awards as much, I kind of forgot about it when the week happened. I didn't really care that much, because that is kind of my motivation, to play for them and that is kind of the last of my worries."
 
The players on the Samford volleyball team have always been extremely close, they have even come up with a nickname for the group, "The Sisterhood." Meglic talked about what that term means to her and how it came about.
 
"Sisterhood kind of means family to me," Meglic said. "We've kind of talked about that for a while, but it came when I was a sophomore, and the upperclassmen, all of the captains, mainly, had all of their things together. Their school, their relationships, family, volleyball, everything was tight and they had it all together. So I was like, wow, I want to be like them.
 
"Now that we're all in that position, I'm just like, it all kind of happens for a reason," Meglic said. "When that sisterhood and that family, team really came together was when all of us, especially in my class, were like, we want to keep this sisterhood together, we want to make sure everyone coming into this program is welcomed and loved no matter who they are."
 
Meglic talked about some of her favorite memories of having fun with her teammates during her time at Samford.
 
"We always sing on the bus, whenever we're going to the SoCon Tournament or any games that are far away," Meglic said. "Elise Watford brought her karaoke mic, and she has unfortunately graduated and is doing her master's now, but she would just go at it, we would always have dance parties on the bus and we really got into it. Those memories I will always have with me."