To: Lady Griz Nation -- From: Madi

As I enter my fifth year at the University of Montana with yet another opportunity to wear the Lady Griz jersey, I am feeling eager and exhilarated. I may be a kid who came from out of state four years ago, but this has become my second home. I have been through some of my life's highest of highs and deepest of lows that have made me into the woman I am today. I am eternally grateful for what this program and the community of Missoula have provided me. I have received the amazing gift of finding the greatest of friends in my teammates, playing the game I love and pursuing my passion to be a teacher, all in one.

This year has not been quite how I pictured my senior year would look like, but I wouldn't have it any other way because I believe that our biggest seasons of growth come when we are faced with adversity. When thinking about this upcoming year, I found this quote from Pat Summitt that is truly inspiring. In it she talks about how the obstacles we battle in basketball can be similar to the ones we battle in life. She wrote this in a letter to one of her freshmen before her first game as a Lady Vol:

"The whole thing is played out in an afternoon. The happiness of life, the miseries, the joys, the heartbreaks. There's no telling what will turn up. There's no telling how you'll do. You might be a hero. Or you might be absolutely nothing. There's just no telling. Too much depends on chance, on how the ball bounces. I'm not talking about the game. I'm talking about life. But it's life that the game is all about. Just as I said, every game is life, and life is a game. A serious one. Dead serious. But here's what you do with serious things. You do your best. You take what comes. You take what comes and you run with it."

When I read this section from Pat Summitt's letter, I almost felt she was talking directly to me because I felt so encouraged to push through the adversity of the global pandemic that has limited the beginning of my senior year. Typically, I would have already met all my new teammates, started building those bonds and pushing each other in the offseason to be ready for what comes in March. However, our offseason has looked a bit different, consisting of team Zoom calls, having to develop relationships over the phone and finding ways to challenge each other virtually.

I am proud of this team in how we have all stayed connected and thrived in the ability to develop those relationships so we can hit the ground running when season comes. I owe a big thanks to our staff for leading us in this journey of uncertainty and making sure we are all on the same page during this time of distance. Their leadership has provided me the confidence that we are going to be great this season with no doubt in my mind.

A big aspect I am excited for my senior year is the opportunity to have so many new girls join the team. Not only do I get more competitors to fight alongside in basketball and in life, but also the opportunity to make new friends. I know that they are prepared to provide their own pieces of talent to what the staff and returners are already continuing to build for team success. That word, "team," has been the main focus for us in this season of distance as we talk about what pieces create team unity, all the way from staff to players. I already see our team meshing well in our calls, so I can't wait to see what that looks like in person, on and off the court this season.

Another thing I always look forward to each year is stepping out in Dahlberg Arena and hearing our loyal fans scream for their Lady Griz. We would not have the success that we have without your support, not just in athletics but in our academics and in life. I can't wait to get back out there and show our fans all the hard work that we have been putting in to keep the tradition going that the program has been built upon.

Lastly, I am looking forward to representing the program that has helped make me who I am for my last year. There is no other place I'd rather be than in Missoula, Montana, to be able to give back everything that it has given me.

I look forward to seeing you all back in Dahlberg in the coming months.

As always, go Lady Griz!

University of Montana Athletics

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