Savannah Roper is one of four seniors on Winthrop University’s roster for the 2020-2021 volleyball season. At five-foot-four, she is one of the shortest on the team, yet her height is what helps make her the perfect defensive specialist.
Roper dove into volleyball at the age of twelve where she just “fell in love with the sport.”
“Being an athlete has really taught me to be disciplined, to work well in a team environment, and accept constructive criticism,” Roper said.
Appearing in 26 matches and starting in four, Roper scooped up a total of 149 digs for the 2019 season, more than three times her total from the two previous seasons.
In 2019 she earned a season-high of 13 digs at both UNC Charlotte on Oct. 8 and Hampton on Nov. 1.
During the 2019 season Roper also scored twenty-five service aces, the second most on the team.
“I could not imagine my college career without volleyball. Even though some days have been tough, it has helped form me into the person I am today,” Roper said.
The Eagles finished 24-5 in the 2019 season, advancing them to Washington state for the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Tournament, where they lost their first round match. Nevertheless, the adventure was part of Roper’s favorite experiences during her time so far at Winthrop.
“My most memorable part of Winthrop was the end of fall my junior year when my team won the conference, played in the NCAA tournament against Washington, and then coming back a couple days later to pass my portfolio review for graphic design,” Roper said.
Now a month into the first semester of her senior year, Roper, a graphic design major, is fully adjusted to her classes being online.
“The department of design is a small enough department where I feel like I get the personal involvement I need in order to learn in the best way,” Roper said.
Roper said the team is “looking really good,” even though their season is postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have all been working hard and pushing one another on the court and in the weight room since the beginning of July. We have been taking advantage of the time to form relationships on and off the court,” Roper said.
Roper also said she has been trying to assist her six new freshmen teammates as they adjust to their first semester as a college athlete during a pandemic.
“Advice I have given to the freshman is to enjoy their college careers and not stress over the small stuff. I also encouraged them to get out of their comfort zones, meet new people, and get involved in at least another organization outside of Winthrop Athletics,” Roper said.
Even though this semester has put many events on hold, Roper’s advice will definitely come in handy for her teammates in the coming years. However, with her time at Winthrop quickly coming to a close, Roper has a few goals she hopes to accomplish before graduation.
“Some goals I have [are] to get another internship for graphic design, finish my portfolio, and win the Big South Conference in the spring,” Roper said.
After graduation Roper does not plan to attend graduate school, but instead head straight into the business world.
“I’m planning on looking for a job after graduation with a marketing or design agency, preferably in the Charlotte or Greenville area,” Roper said.
Until it is time for job-hunting, Roper and the entire Eagle team look forward to a safe season in the spring, and hope to advance beyond the Big South Conference Tournament once again.
Photo courtesy of Winthrop Athletics
