Briana Holmes
Volleyball
Class: Junior
Major: Health Sciences major with a minor in Communication Studies
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Tell us about your family.
I come from a big family! I have 3 older sisters and 2 younger brothers.
Tell us about your hobbies.
I love to go to the movies!
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
We Bought a Zoo, Black Panther and The Best of Me
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Spaghetti
What are some small things that make your day better?
I love to start my day with a cup of coffee.
Why Samford? What made you decide to bring your talents to this university?
I decided to come to Samford because I love the girls on the team and liked the culture of the program.
How has your unique Samford experience positioned you to reach your goals?
It has put me in a position to grow as a person and prepare me for graduate school.
Who has had the greatest impact on your time here at Samford? Please share why.
Heather Mitchell, Director of Career Counseling on campus, has had the most impact on me. She provided me with guidance and encouragement when I was trying to figure out a major that worked best for me. She has continued to help me through my academics and will continue to when I apply to graduate schools.
What are some of your major takeaways from your time as a Samford student-athlete so far?
I have learned to manage time and create a routine that works best for me.
Let's talk about the decision to move volleyball to spring. How has the team handled it?
At first it was hard to hear the news, but we are now realizing that this is a great opportunity for us. We are now able to train more as a new team before it is time to compete in the spring.
How has the decision to play in the spring affected your fall practices?
It has affected our fall practices to become a bit slower, so that we are able to break things down and focus on learning new things as a team.
Now an upperclassmen, do you see yourself taking on more of a leadership role this year?
Yes, I do see myself taking on more of a leadership role to make this a memorable season.
Will you share with us a little about the culture of success within the volleyball program? How does the team continue to sustain that level of success year after year?
Samford volleyball values relationships! We are a family who wants to be the best versions of ourselves with the same goals in mind. Challenges are valued in our program so that we are prepared when things go wrong on and off the court. The program values resiliency in life and on the court, because it matters how you respond. The team is able to sustain the level of success by being reminded that there is always room to grow, no matter what year you are. We all stay curious to learn new things from each other (coaches and players).
What are some of your personal and team goals over your final two years with the program?
I am wanting to walk out of Samford with 4 SoCon championship titles and to leave behind a legacy that is more than just good stats. A team goal is to win a round in the NCAA tournament.
Final message from Briana:
"Thank you so much for all that you do for Samford Athletics. You have given me and so many others a chance of living out a dream that we will never forget! I appreciate the continued support through the years. It truly has made my student-athlete experience so special!"
