Liz Serafin’s story began when she first stepped onto the volleyball court in fourth grade.
In her early years, Liz wasn’t able to play organized volleyball with a team till 7th grade because of how school sports worked growing up. Her mother, who also loved the sport, set up a program for boys and girls in grades 4-6 to help them improve their game to succeed later in their careers.
Liz did not only play volleyball, she grew up playing softball, soccer, and was involved in gymnastics for 10-plus years.
“Gymnastics helped a lot with volleyball,” Liz said. “It’s helped me jump higher over the years and become more mobile with my movement on the court.”
During her freshman year of highschool, Liz gets called up to be on the varsity team. She becomes the team captain her junior year after her hard work throughout the years and gets awarded for being a 4 year varsity player.
Throughout highschool, she was involved with two club organizations, the Oneonta Volleyball Club and Midstate Volleyball Club. Her most memorable coach came from her Midstate club team.
“Coach Ferrara was my favorite,” she said. “I found comfort and guidance through her, her mentorship and coaching was a huge part of why I chose to continue volleyball in college.”
“It was senior year of highschool when I decided to leave softball behind and fully commit to volleyball.”
Liz had many setbacks with sports due to injuries.
She never allowed hardship to break her spirit, even though she had to undergo surgery for a fractured toe in middle school, wrist ligament damage in highschool, and even a jammed vertebrae during her first year in college. She persisted in pushing herself because she had a constant determination to succeed.
When Liz first joined the Women’s Cortland Club Volleyball team, she decided to change positions and become an outside hitter.
“It wasn’t too bad,” she said. “I played outside for my high school team and I liked it a lot more.”
Fast forward to her junior year of college, she becomes the president of the club team. She always wants to do what’s best for her team. A great leader on the court and with her dedication and commitment to the club, she was awarded with president of the year.
She was so involved with the club and the board that she became the chair of the community service committee. She initiated and organized the highway cleanup service where club presidents go and help clean up the trash off the exit of a highway.
Liz is ready to lead her team to nationals for the third year in a row with her last semester as a senior, capping off an incredible college volleyball career.