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Astor reflects on her career as a Panther

—Photo courtesy of UNI Athletic Communications Lexi Astor, a Fort Dodge Senior High graduate, serves for the University of Northern Iowa women’s volleyball program earlier this fall.

CEDAR FALLS — Lexi Astor will never forget her final court appearance as a member of the University of Northern Iowa volleyball team.

Back in August while competing against then-No. 5 Kentucky, Astor helped the Panthers score a five-set victory during action at the USC Tournament in Los Angeles.

Two days later, however, the Fort Dodge Senior High graduate suffered a fractured foot during practice, ending her Panther career.

“It was an awesome win as a team, but it is personally special to me because it was the first game where I was really able to finally showcase what I am capable of as an athlete,” said Astor, a redshirt senior and outside hitter. “In the past, I have not had significant court time, which I was more than fine with, but finally having all of my hard work pay off was an indescribable feeling. Of course, I wouldn’t have been there without my teammates, but it felt pretty darn good to say the least.

“That memory is also special to me because it was probably the last time I will ever get to step on the court as an athlete. I came down on my foot after a bad set in practice and fractured it. It has been a challenging senior season to say the least.”

Despite the season-ending injury, Astor has remained around her team and was honored along with fellow seniors Kendyl Sorge and Piper Thomas. The trio were all honored prior to a match with Southern Illinois, as the Panthers won in straight sets and Astor was allowed to serve one final time.

“It is extremely frustrating, but it doesn’t take away what the impact I can still have as a leader and teammate. Injuries are an unfortunate part of athletics and sometimes it doesn’t seem fair, but I have taken the opportunity to be an encouraging teammate on the sidelines and help in any way I can.”

A two-time all-conference selection as a Dodger, Astor saw action in 15 matches last year for UNI as the program made a third NCAA Tournament appearance. The Panthers bested Louisville before falling to Minnesota.

“One thing you learn very quickly from competing on a team is that it is not always about you,” Astor said. “There are things you must give and sacrifice for the success of the entire team. My coaches do an incredible job of making sure our athletes know that whatever their role or position is, we are all equally important to the program.”

And while the challenges of being a student-athlete can be difficult, there are ones Astor has met head-on over her five years on campus.

“It takes going to bed early, eating right, staying focused for workouts year-round, sacrificing things normal college kids get to experience,” she said. “It is worth it, though, because we do get to experience things that other college kids don’t. We get to travel the country representing our university almost every single weekend.

“We get to make a difference in giving back to our communities. We get to be role models for the young kids looking up to us. Being a part of a team is more than just practice and games and breaking records.

“It’s a tough feeling to put into words, but being a part of a high-level team is truly incredible.”

Northern Iowa has played five teams ranked in the Top-20 this year and put together a 13-1 stretch during the regular season. They captured the MVC regular-season championship, and are in the hunt for the conference tournament title.

For Astor, the experiences involved with being a Panther are ones she’ll live with for the rest of her life.

“It’s crazy thinking back on my time at UNI and how much I have grown, not only as an athlete, but as an individual,” she said. “It’s one thing when others begin to notice, but when you recognize the changes yourself, that’s when you know it’s significant. UNI volleyball is a special program that truly cares about their athletes and how they are developing as people off the court. I cannot emphasize enough how my life has changed through the lessons I have learned as a student-athlete. The discipline, leadership, dedication, work ethic, gratitude, humility, sacrifice and selflessness all important life-long skills that give student-athletes an advantage as they one day hang up the jersey and begin to live as people outside of their identity as an athlete.

“Competing at a high-level is an indescribable feeling I would not trade for the world, but it is hard. It comes with challenges and sacrifice. It is a lifestyle. It is all worth it, I promise, it’s just a hard feeling to put into words unless you experience it first-hand.

“However I will say the reward does not come without a solid foundation. Of course I have my collegiate coaches to thank for developing me these past four and a half years, but it started long before then. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the values my parents and former coaches have instilled along the way. Dodgers are fighters. I will always be proud of that.”

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