Wil Stanley - BYU Volleyball

Growing up volleyball was always the sport I dreamed of playing because my brother and my dad both played volleyball at the highest level. I was never forced to play volleyball it was just always something that naturally I loved to do. It was an amazing opportunity that I got to come to BYU and play volleyball here just like my dad did. It's hard to put in words the feeling I had when I got to tell my mom and dad that I committed to play volleyball at one of the best schools in the country.

Being the best team in the country was never something we strived for as a team this year. We just tried to focus on becoming better individual volleyball players and if each of us could get a little better, we would become better as a whole. I really loved the culture we built this year as a team and the work we put in really paid off when we were able to say we were the best team in the country. 

Playing volleyball with Jon was something I never did growing up so when I finally got the chance to play with him this year I tried to cherish every moment. Any time he came in I just wanted to be there with him and celebrate all his accomplishments because of how hard he has had to work his whole life. Being the youngest brother he always had the most pressure on him to be the best. I have always been so impressed with what he has done over the course of his volleyball career and I know there is so much more to come. 

Having our season cut short was definitely one of the hardest things I've had to deal with at BYU. Knowing that it was cut short for all the right reasons but still having the reality set in that my career was over took some time to accept. I just want to thank BYU and everyone who has supported me over the last 4 years. I am not the person I am today without all the love I was shown by fans, coaches, teachers, and friends. Thank you so much Cougar Nation!