Marisa Amarino, senior communication major, is a key player in the Trinity community. From her performance on the volleyball court to her leadership off the court, Amarino strives to give back to a community that has shaped who she is today.

Amarino is initially from Calabasas, California and has played volleyball since middle school. In her college search, Amarino sought an institution that would give her a highly competitive volleyball experience while also providing a rigorous, high-quality education, which ultimately led her to Trinity. Amarino is now entering her fourth term as team captain of the Trinity Women’s Volleyball team.

“My team is the thing that really keeps me going,” Amarino said. “I take pride in knowing that my team is my rock. They might not even think that because they think I’m their rock, but they are seriously my support system. I couldn’t do the things that I do without them, and I give all of my credit to them for real.”

As a senior, Amarino has experienced the high and lows of not just collegiate volleyball but college life as a whole. Amarino encourages her teammates to be present in everything they do with the saying “Don’t miss it twice,” something assistant coach Brad Bulycz has instilled in the team’s culture. The quote inspires the team to live in the moment, no matter the outcome.

“This team and this place, Trinity Volleyball and Trinity University, is such a special environment,” Amarino said. “Enjoy every moment so that you can remember these special times five years down the line, ten years down the line.”

After spending nearly four years at Trinity, Amarino has grown as an athlete, a leader and a friend. Amarino recently celebrated senior night with her volleyball team, which honors and pays tribute to the senior athletes and all they have contributed to their respective sports. For Amarino, looking back on her journey as a Trinity Tiger was bittersweet.

“I think I’ve changed a lot. Every year I learn from the people around me. It’s really taught me to be patient with myself and others,” Amarino said. “When you’re put into these big roles like president or team captain, you really learn that people operate in different ways and you learn to sympathize and empathize with them at different times. I think I’ve learned to step up and be a leader and when to step down and be a friend and a listener.”

Amarino looks to fierce female athletes like Serena Williams when approaching the court. Williams’ balance of leadership and competitiveness have inspired Amarino to be the player she is today.

“When I would watch Serena Williams, it was like ruthless competition, and I was like, ‘That’s how I want to play,’” Amarino said. “She’s such a competitor, but she knows when to be a leader outside of her sport and that’s what I wanted to do. … I want to be a competitor on the court, and I want to win and I want to lead my team to greatness. Off the court, equally the same, I want to do something good that’s going to impact my community. That’s why I rushed, I wanted to be involved on campus, I wanted to be a leader, I wanted to be president. I wanted to do all these things.”

As a communication major, Amarino is looking to pursue a career in marketing, public relations or advertising post-graduation. Although originally a California native, Amarino has learned to love Texas and the community she has established in the Lone Star State. Post-graduate Amarino is interested in using her communication major for a role in the Trinity community to provide students with the positive experiences she holds so dearly.

“My plan is to stay in Texas, I love Texas. My friends are here, my community is here,” Amarino said. “I definitely want to work here at Trinity post-grad. I want to be involved on campus as much as I can.”