Cardinal Check-In with Mia Stander

Throughout the remainder of the 2020 spring semester, we will check in with the players on the University of Louisville volleyball team as they complete their semesters online. This week we check in with Mia Stander.

About Mia
Daughter of Ed and Julie Stander. Born Sept. 15, 1999. Major is nursing. Graduated from Marist High School in the Atlanta area. She's a 5-4 defensive specialist who had 10 aces and 121 digs in 92 sets last season.

Q: What are your thoughts on spring season being canceled?
A: "Although I am deeply upset about the remainder of our spring season being cancelled, I think where we left off before spring break was a great place. I feel so confident in where everyone stands individually but more importantly the team chemistry is something that we have continued to build and will continue to build even from different states."

Q: If you could say something to the basketball players/swimmers/indoor track athletes who do not get a senior season back and missed their championship what would it be?
A: "I can't imagine what you're going through, having to say goodbye to your career without the opportunity to compete in the NCAA tournament. The legacy you left will be remembered because of the three years that you did get to compete for UofL. You all are Cardinals Forever and will have a lasting impact on the teams that will follow behind you."

Q: What would you say to the spring sports who lost a whole season?
A: "I can't imagine the frustration you all are possibly feeling. All throughout off season, as competitors we all look forward to competing against other teams and working toward the NCAA tournament. Keep your head up during this confusing time and put yourself in a good place to come back next season even stronger."

Q: What are you doing with yourself during your free time?
A: "My family and I have been doing puzzles every night during the quarantine, and I've even finished reading 2 books of the series Mortal Instruments. I've been doing my workouts and homework daily, but also try to go outside on walks daily with my mom. I'm running out of shows and movies on Netflix though."

Q: What did you do for spring break?
A: "I did end up going to Fort Lauderdale with 5 of my teammates—Claire, Rachael, Tori, Jamie and Alexa and we stayed there for 5 days. The day we were coming back ended up being the day spring break was extended and all spring sports were cancelled. Now, I'm back in Cincinnati at my parents' house just waiting until our quarantine is ended."

Q: How are you continuing to stay in shape during this time?
A: "Sean has been sending us workouts to do during the week as well as yoga opportunities that Allegra has sent us. My cousin signed up for Pure Barre for us to do together, and I've been running or going on walks just to get myself out of the house."

Q: Your impressions on the spring season up to this point?
A: "During this spring season, our team pushed itself and the coaches keep talking about how we are in such a great place despite the season ending. Touches might be hard to get back but the team chemistry is something that won't go away during this time especially since our coaches continually call us to check in on us and all the girls call each other just to check in and catch up.:

Q: What will you miss most about being on campus?
A: "I'll miss going to the spring sporting events—they are something that I always look forward to. Just being around people my own age, since my parents just recently moved to Ohio I don't have any friends here and I'm missing being around people who aren't my parents. Spring is just such a lively time on campus in Louisville, especially leading up to the Derby."

Have you and your teammates been keeping in contact through all of this and how?
A: "Yes, we've done a large group Facetime with the coaches and we call one person daily as part of a "Fuel the Fire" challenge the seniors came up with. We also talk in the GroupMe almost daily sending TikToks and memes to one another. And we have our team group snapchat where we send pictures or videos of what we're doing."

Is there anything you would like to say to Card Nation?
A: "Thank you for all your support and the outpouring of love—especially for the teams and seniors who's seasons got cut short. We'll get through this weird and tough time and come back stronger than before."

What is your favorite memory of this season?
A: "Beating Texas at Texas in the Sweet 16 of the tournament and making it to the first ever Elite Eight."

What is your favorite memory as a Cardinal?
A: "My favorite memory as a Cardinal up to this point has been going to Texas and upsetting them in the Sweet 16. When we lost the third and fourth set there wasn't a doubt in my mind that we were still going to win, and then the very last point of the fifth set no one knew which side of the net the ball landed on so for a split second everyone on the court just looked at each other until we realized that we had actually won."

Are you home or on campus?
A: "I am at home in Cincinnati with my mom, aunt, and cousin. I've been binge watching Jane the Virgin, but I've watched the majority of the Marvel movies in order. I've also read the first 3 books of the Mortal Instruments series."

Q: "How have people in your family been directly affected by the virus?
A: "Both my older sisters are health care professionals and are considered essential personnel during this time. My oldest sister, Sammi, is a pharmacist and although she isn't dealing directly with any patients, she is in charge of filling prescriptions and making sure that people are getting their medications. My other sister, Josie, is a nurse at Northwestern in Chicago and volunteered to work in the front lines of the Corona cases. She has to quarantine herself every night and be removed from contact with the outside world in order to make sure she is healthy enough to go the hospital. My older brother was supposed to graduate from the University of Georgia in May and his graduation has been cancelled. Following graduation he was supposed to move to New York in July to start a job on Wall Street, but all those plans are up in the air and he's waiting to hear when and if he can still move to New York. My dad works for UPS and is currently working out of Atlanta during the week and driving back to Cincinnati on the weekends—making sure that people are getting the medical supplies and packages they need."

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