INDIANAPOLIS - What defines a successful volleyball program? It could be defined by wins and losses, team culture, leadership, or a hard-working mentality. On the IUPUI women volleyball team leadership is set in president by seniors Brooke Phillips and Emily Alan who exemplify many of these qualities.

"Emily and Brooke are great examples of what it means to be a student athlete. Both of them are willing to put in the extra time and energy it takes to care for your body and health, and those around them," said trainer Andrew Thomas.
 
Brooke Phillips, a setter from Indianapolis, Indiana, started her collegiate career at Lipscomb University. Six months, a torn meniscus, no volleyball, and a redshirt? This was the transition from high school to college for Phillips. An All-American and all-around solid player was faced with adversity in the form of injury, which forced her to rearrange her expectations at the start of her colligate career.  After Lipscomb, Phillips found her new home at IUPUI. "IUPUI volleyball means a lot to me," said Phillips. "I was born and raised in Indy so being able to play part of my college career here has been very special to me," said Phillips.
 
IUPUI has been Phillips' fresh start. She has been molded through the form of adversity, her faith in Christ, and her leadership shows it. Phillips has welcomed six new freshmen to her team. She also experienced two head coaching changes and two assistant coach changes at IUPUI. She extended herself and was very selfless knowing that she was not the only one experiencing the changes that affected her life, but instead changed her perspective and understood the changes were bigger than her. Though she has been through challenges, "I've loved watching her step into a leadership role and be an amazing teammate to all of us," said Alan. Brooke handled the coaching change by growing closer to her teammates.
 
Having six new teammates is no easy task, but Phillips was not new to change or adversity. She loves the new atmosphere and new faces, "It's been fun creating new friendships and I love meeting new people, so being a leader on this team has brought me so much joy," said Phillips.
 
Phillips knows how to keep her focus by leaning heavily on her faith, "One thing that has kept me focused throughout my college career is God's grace to me." She goes on to show her love in Christ by texting her teammates on Sundays asking how she can pray for them throughout the week. She does this not only because of her faith, but also because she is helping lead so many new freshmen on her team in this 2023-24 season. Phillips' positive mindset, and leadership style of love, competitiveness, and passion has helped her team successfully win nine games this season.
 
The goal is to finish the season by "having fun and creating an environment where people can enjoy themselves and play the highest level of volleyball," said Phillips. She has not used her adversity as a crutched she used her challenges to help make those around her better by continuing to work hard in games and at practice constantly being the loudest one in the gym. She has led in a way that makes her teammates and peers feel seen and heard, with the help of Emily Alan, "The best encourager, and someone I couldn't imagine leading this team without," said Phillips.
"Emily is extremely kind and caring in all aspects of her life. Emily is someone who doesn't want anyone to feel left out of a group or team and will go out of her way to try improving relationships with those around her," said Andrew Thomas the IUPUI volleyball athletic trainer.
 
Alan, a middle blocker from Burlington Wisconsin, grew up in a volleyball-loving community. In high school she was a two-time state champion. Alan has been a Jaguar all four years of her college career. "I am fortunate that I was able to play collegiate volleyball at the division one level at IUPUI, which is a goal many young girls don't reach," said Alan.
 
Alan has been faced with challenges in her career here at IUPUI as well. These challenges have been looked at as opportunities. The acknowledgement of such change, as a positive, has aided in her growth in leadership for her young team this year.
 
Though Alan was faced with two head coaching changes and two assistant coach changes, "it has been great to get a fresh perspective on the game and have coaches that believe in our abilities to succeed every day," said Alan. Having so many new faces "was definitely a challenge, but once we realized we were all working towards the same goal of reaching conference tournament, things got much easier," said Alan.
 
Though the season has not been successful in terms of wins and losses for the two seniors, their leadership has kept them pressing. "I've loved leading with Brooke. She is a hard-worker, confident, and strongly motivated to see this program succeed," said Alan of her teammate Phillips.  The strong relationships and love for one another these young women exemplify can be seen in their smiles in practice, their excitement for one another in games, and their concern on and off the court.
 
As the season comes to an end both seniors are looking to play as hard as they can and enjoy the last game of their senior season. Phillips favorite memory with this group of girls has been "traveling and just playing as a team. Every game, practice and trip have been special to me," said Phillips. Alan adds to this by saying "I have loved the process of getting to know each one of them [her teammates], and all I want for each of them is to see them succeed and grow as the amazing women they are," said Alan.
 
Phillips and Alan have worked to build relationships, grow as individuals, and have fun with their team in this season. They have led in their own respected ways to make this year memorable and cared for the well-being of their teammates. Though they are graduating this year they will always be a part of IUPUI women's volleyball history for their positivity, togetherness, and leadership.
 
The IUPUI volleyball team will celebrate the long-lasting impact Phillips and Alan have left when they host Wright State on Saturday, November 11 for Senior Day at 4:00 PM.