Deahna Kraft, a senior on the Pepperdine women's beach volleyball team, is nearing the end of her college career. We talked about her last season at Pepperdine, which starts this weekend, as well as her goals and her decision to play indoor at the University of Wisconsin next year:
 
Q: How is the team looking at practice so far?
 
A: The team is looking really good so far. We all have been going into practice with a positive attitude and everyone is really excited to start playing, which is good. Having that excitement is really fun and everyone feeds off of each other. We have really good team chemistry, equivalent to when I was a freshman. We also had really good team chemistry last year as well, so I am really excited to see what the season holds for us, especially since I think everyone is grooving so well.
 
Q: What are some of your goals for the rest of the season?
 
A: As a team, we've set team goals and specific goals. As a team, we always want to get better and better and play to our best abilities to put ourselves in situations to go to Alabama and potentially win the NCAA championship. I think it is always progressing. When we step on the court and put our best foot forward, play the best that we can and accomplish that, I think we will be in good shape.
 
Q: Your last year at Pepperdine is coming to an end, how do you feel about that?
 
A: It's mixed emotions. It is definitely a lot of nostalgia and everything is your last time. I remember when I was a freshman and the seniors kept saying, "Everything is your last time when you are a senior," and I never thought that it was going to happen to me, but here I am. It's really sad but it's also exciting because I'm going onto a bunch of new things, but I am going to miss Pepperdine a lot, the friendships I've built, and all my coaches.
 
Q: What has been a change throughout your four years, if any?
 
A: There haven't been too many crazy changes, but I think every year is different. From freshman year, everything is so new and you have your awkward in-between years: sophomore and junior year, where you start bringing in new roles of leadership. Now, as a senior, the big change is being in the leadership position and always being the person your team can rely on. It's really interesting to be in that role and it's also a really fun challenge. There's no overall change, but just a different perspective as you get older. It's fun being a senior and empathizing with the freshman. You can give words of advice to everyone because you have been there and seen those situations.
 
Q: In your four years, what has balancing your schoolwork and being on the team been like?
 
A: It is definitely hard. You get caught up in it, especially your freshman year. You just try to figure it out and understand it, but honestly as you keep going, you kind of realize the things that are important in life. The things that are important and you value, you show up to and put first, and that shows who you are. Also, our coaches want us to have fun and have a life as well. They know that beach volleyball is really important, but after four years, not all of us are going to continue on and finish that. I think that's why we have such a good culture because our girls know how to have fun, but when it is time to work, we work. I think understanding that and being able to prioritize is how people are successful in college. People get so worked up with all the work they need to get done and things they want to do, but you have to allocate your energy and know what's important. That's the main thing I have learned; putting your energy where you want to manifest and grow, and that's where you will succeed.
 
Q: What are you most looking forward to this season?
 
A: I just really love our home games because all our family comes out and we have a really good food table. It's really fun and it feels like home every time I'm playing there, so I'm really excited for that and for the NCAA. Going to Alabama is so fun and it's the best tournament ever. Plus, it is my last time playing with everyone. I think every year is different because you are a different age and you gain more experiences, so I'm honestly excited for every moment of the season because it's going to be my last. I have a lot of friends who graduated and they keep saying to take in every moment, so I'm really taking that to heart. I'm really trying to find the time, when I'm on the court, to enjoy what I'm doing.
 
Q: The team had a tough finish last year, finishing second in the WCC Championships and going 0-2 at the NCAA Championships. So how motivated are you and as a team to come back stronger this season?
 
A: I'm definitely motivated. It's definitely really hard to come from a program that has such a big legacy and so many hopes. Us seniors were there when we played in the NCAA finals, so we know what it feels like to be in the position and to compete for a title that not a lot of people get the chance to. Last season was not what we wanted and it was not our standard. I think we have learned a lot from it and we share that a lot with our freshmen and our newcomers. We let them know that last year was not a good year, we're not going to repeat that and we're going to fight everyday for that. So I think that it is definitely hard, but every team is going to have hard seasons, and your character really shows when bouncing back from that.
 
Q: After you graduate, you are going to the University of Wisconsin to play a season of indoor volleyball. How did you come to that decision and what are you most looking forward to?
 
A: As a freshman, I was deciding between the University of Wisconsin and Pepperdine, and if I wanted to play indoor or beach volleyball. I was on the recruiting process with the University of Wisconsin, but I kind of jumped ships and decided to go to Pepperdine. Throughout my four years, I have been thinking about playing my fifth year. It's always been in the back of my head, so I reached out. They remembered me and everything just kind of fell into place. That's how it worked out and I just want to have an experience. I also want to get my master's degree, which is really important, and then why not play at a great school? I think that their culture is a lot like Pepperdine and that's what I like about it. Knowing myself, I want to play at the highest level I can and get that experience. I'm kind of having a no-regret year and go for it. It's half a year of my life of total dedication and I'm all for new things. I just get so excited and nerd out about new things in volleyball, so I'm really excited for it.
 
Q: What are your overall thoughts on your four years at Pepperdine?
 
A: It's been such a fun ride. Honestly, I'm trying not to get emotional. Everyone here is such a special community and I will always hold Pepperdine, the program, the coaches, the strength coaches, the athletic trainer, so near and dear to my heart. Everyone is so special. You can have such a great relationship with everyone and you know everyone here, which is amazing. I know our athletic director and our associate athletic director personally and I just think that at other schools, like big schools, you don't get that at all. The people and culture here is so special and I have learned so much from the program and it has truly shaped me into the person I am today and I totally owe Pepperdine beach volleyball for that. It's honestly just total gratitude and happiness. I wouldn't have had it any other way and I wouldn't have done it any other way. I know it's cliche and everyone says that at the end of their senior year, but I am really happy with my four years here, the relationships I have built, and the lessons I have learned.