The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1178918
NOVEMBER 2019 THE WOLVERINE 17 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Student-Athlete Of The Month Women's Volleyball Senior Sydney Wetterstrom Women's volleyball senior outside hitter Sydney Wetterstrom has de- veloped her game through hard work, is a team leader and has en- joyed her experience at Michigan. Wetterstrom grew up in Long- mont, Colo. — 33 miles northwest of Denver — where she played high-level club volleyball. "That gave me the opportunity to play at a higher level so coaches were able to see me," Wetterstrom said. Then she had to decide where to play at the next level. Wetterstrom said it came down to where she felt wanted and would have the op- portunity to test herself against the best. "I chose Michigan because it's a Big Ten school, and I wanted to be in that conference because it's the best in the country," she said. "You look at the USA National Team, and over half the roster is from the Big Ten." Playing in the most competitive conference in the country was right in Wet- terstrom's wheelhouse. "I love challenges," she said. "I love being able to grow and develop. I knew right away that Michigan was the school for me. "I like getting out of my comfort zone, and coming to the University of Michi- gan, Ann Arbor, the Midwest, all was completely different … but it was worth it." Like all freshmen, Wetterstrom had to prove herself all over again at the college level. "When I was recruited, I was going to be one of three outside hitters, but there were two redshirt seniors ahead of me," she said. "Being a part of sports my whole life, I know you have to pay your dues, prove yourself and keep working hard." Fast-forward to the middle of her senior season, and the work has paid off with 473 career kills. Her team is off to a 13-5 record, good enough to be right in the thick of the Big Ten title race at 6-2. Beyond the stats, Wetterstrom has become a leader, someone whom her teammates can always approach and count on. "Being a leader off the court is probably just as important as being a leader on the court," Wetterstrom said. "I pride myself on being that person someone can come to, whether they need a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen." Volleyball isn't the only area that Wetterstrom has excelled in during her time at U-M. She's earned Academic All-Big Ten honors the past two seasons. "I think whatever you do, you have to put your best foot forward," she said. "If you do your best, there's not going to be that 'what-if.'" With her time at U-M nearing an end, she will reflect back fondly on the experi- ence. "Michigan is a special place," Wetterstrom said. "We talk about core values on the team being family, and I think that's truly demonstrated." U-M, after all, is the place where she found her future career path. Originally thinking she wanted to be a coach, Wetterstrom is now pursuing a different goal. "I think I've found my calling for advocacy on mental health," she said. "I'm prob- ably going to do a masters in social work." — Clayton Sayfie Wetterstrom, a senior outside hitter, was named Academic All-Big Ten in her sophomore and junior years. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY DID YOU KNOW... Your home address will be automatically changed to the mailing address on file with the US Postal Service? ALL addresses are cross-referenced with the USPS National Change of Address database. It can take up to 7 days for the USPS to update your address in their database? To prevent missed issues, please notify the US Postal Service ASAP. Your postal forwarding order expires in 60 days or less? Most forwarding requests expire in 60 days and DO NOT always include periodical mail. Issues are discarded at their discretion. You should call your local post office to verify your delivery address? Don't assume the post office knows your vacation or moving schedule. AVOID COSTLY DELAYS & REPLACEMENTS! Wolverine Customer Service: 1–800–421–7751 We are happy to assist, but due to privacy laws all postal address changes must be completed by you.