Paige Serup
Women's Basketball
Class: Senior
Major: Economics
Hometown: Edmond, OK
Tell us about your pets. I have 2 Airedale Terriers, one named Wilson and one named Yogi (4 month old puppy).
Tell us about your hobbies. I like to go to OKC Thunder games, draw, and attend as many orange theory classes as possible.
What is an unusual talent that you have? I can skateboard.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Baked potato with cheese and sour cream!
What's the most awkward thing that happens to you on a regular basis? People always think I'm way younger than 22. Not necessarily a bad thing that I can still order from the kids menu.
What's your favorite go-to dance move? I really really don't dance, but if I was forced I would probably do a sad sprinkler.
What is something you hate, but wish you loved? I don't like chicken, but I wish I did. It would have made eating in the Caf a lot easier.
What are you most likely to become famous for? Writing a book.
What are some small things that make your day better? Iced coffee, YouTube, and shopping.
How would your teammates describe you on and off the court? On the court, they'd probably say I am a hardworking team player. Off the court, probably a listener with a good sense of humor.
Why Samford? What made you decide to come here? When I came on my visit everyone was super nice and inviting. The campus and the Pete are top notch.
What are your plans after graduation? I'm planning on attending grad school to get my MBA.
How has your unique Samford experience positioned you to reach your goals? Combining the demands of basketball and academics at Samford has helped me develop time management and people skills.
What is your most memorable academic experience? My most memorable academic experiences have been making the Dean's List each semester I have been at Samford!
Who has had the greatest impact on your time here at Samford? All of my coaches have impacted my life in many ways. I spent 3 years playing for Coach Morris and he helped me develop who I was going to be at Samford. When Coach Carley came she really brought me out of my shell and gave me the tools to succeed in my last year.
Watching the women's basketball team grow and develop this season has been so exciting. Tell us what it's been like for you and your teammates: My teammates and I experienced a year that started filled with uncertainty and ended with something way bigger than a championship- growth. We all grew in our own ways and figured out new aspects of who we are as people. The coaching staff brought out the best in us and challenged us to never be complacent.
Tell us about the beginning of your senior season. How was it for you adjusting to a new coach and her vision for the program? It was definitely hard at first because I had been comfortable in my role the previous 3 years at Samford and no one knew how the coaching philosophy was going to change. Once she got here it was obvious that she was here to win and build relationships and that's an easy philosophy to get on board with. The hardest part is that Coach Carley is a hugger and I am not.
Was there a moment when things clicked for the team prior to conference play? I don't think there was a single moment that things just clicked. I think throughout the season there was a continued belief that we could win it all and that only we could stop ourselves and there were games where we did that. In the end we always knew that the person standing next to us had our back and if that's the case you don't really need one moment to click. We just needed toughness.
How would you describe your role as a senior leader on the team? I wasn't a vocal leader. I just showed up everyday. I did everything I could to help my team and tried to be as consistent as possible. People tend to match energy and that's what I brought to the team.
You had an incredible game against Furman in the semifinals. Tell us about how you felt going into that game, and how it felt beating them after the 2 losses earlier in the season: Surprisingly, it just felt like a normal game. We knew the only option was to win and we were ready to take care of business. It felt good to play well, but it felt better to step off the court knowing we were one win away from everything we'd worked for.
How are you doing now in the midst of COVID-19 and its impact on your life academically and athletically? I am doing well. I can't complain. I'm currently in Oklahoma with my family. It's tough to think about how much I don't get to do or that I'm missing out on my senior year. Life goes on and I'm excited about what's to come.
A final message from Paige: "On behalf of our entire team, I would like to thank the donors for their continued support through not only this championship season, but also the unwavering support in the seasons that don't make the headlines. Without you guys we wouldn't have the same opportunities we do now. You make a difference in our lives and I couldn't be more grateful. Thank you!"
