Mizzou Volleyball Insider: Riley Sents - A True Mizzou Student-Athlete
11/14/2019 8:47:00 AM | Volleyball
Redshirt senior has excelled on and off the court over her five-year Tiger career
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The sun peaks through the windows as her alarm begins to blare repeatedly when the clock strikes eight. She proceeds to quickly grab breakfast and run out the door.
Early mornings that turn into late nights are no stranger to Mizzou Volleyball's Riley Sents. As a redshirt senior, Sents has been adjusted to the typical routine for a student-athlete during the past five seasons.
"This lifestyle was hard to get used to when I was a freshman," Sents said. "Now it is just a normal routine that I am adjusted to every year."
As a student-athlete, Sents is up early for her classes scheduled between 9 a.m. to noon. After, she reports to practice and weight lifting between 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., before returning home to finish class assignments.
Sents, a member of the University of Missouri's journalism school, currently juggles being a graduate student with her athletic career.
"I am a very organized person; I make lists, have a calendar and I write everything down," Sents said. "Each week I make a to-do list which helps me prioritize and manage everything."
Through her five years as a student-athlete, Sents has been exceptional on and off the court.
While playing for the Tigers, Sents has accumulated 400-plus total digs for two consecutive seasons, earned her 1,000th career dig as a junior and has dominantly been the starting libero for the program since her sophomore season.
Outside of her long list of volleyball recognitions, she has also proven herself as a role model in the classroom. Sents has been named to both the University of Missouri's Dean's list and Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll, twice.
"People don't realize that being a student-athlete is a full time job," Mizzou Volleyball interim head coach Joshua Taylor said. "It really shows how beyond impressive she is."
What is most remarkable is how her accomplishments have not been limited to strictly academics and athletics. Not only has she demonstrated what it means to be successful on the court and in the classroom, but how to be a leader.
Last spring, she was one of three athletes who garnered Mizzou's Unsung Hero award, which acknowledges selfless acts of initiative and commitment performed by students on campus.
Demonstrating her commitment and initiative to campus, Sents is currently in her second year of serving as President for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, also known as SAAC. The organization represents the voice of Mizzou student-athletes.
"I began doing SAAC as a freshman and my sophomore year I was on the executive board as the service chair," Sents said. "I got really involved and junior year I was voted President."
Ironically, SAAC did not immediately catch Sents' eye.
It was not until Sents was encouraged to join that she decided to give the organization a try.
"Adam Kiel pushed me to get involved," Sents said. "He saw the potential in me and explained how I could have a strong voice in the organization."
Kiel serves as a director for Mizzou Athletics' student-athlete development program. He works with student-athletes on their skill sets to prepare them for life after college.
Immediately after working with Sents, Kiel knew she had the capability to serve as a positive influence to her peers.
"My involvement with Riley started her freshman year," Kiel said. "In getting to know Riley, I immediately noticed she would be a great fit for SAAC because of how she likes helping people, being around people and is passionate about community service."
As president of SAAC, Sents conducts meetings every two weeks with more than 50 athletes who are representatives from each program. During their meetings she sets goals for the organization and encourages discussion regarding any team updates and concerns.
In her time on the executive board Sents has earned the respect of not only her fellow Tigers, but coaches and various professionals as well.
"Since her freshman year I have seen her grow in maturity and experience," Kiel said. "Last August she spoke at a head coaches' meeting. She walked in the room in front of all the coaches, administrators and athletic director with confidence."
Sents stands apart from most student-athletes for many reasons, but one in particular is what makes her character the rarest.
Through her five years as a Tiger, Sents has held various roles in the community, including an internship with Ronald McDonald House and a job with the Show-Me State Games.
"Riley will go after every opportunity that is offered to her and constantly seeks out what she can to get that next experience," Kiel said. "That is very rare with student-athletes. It was just one thing after another and that shows she has this amazing personality and drive. I believe she is the true definition of being 'Mizzou Made'."
Because Sents is a redshirt senior, she is officially in her last year with the volleyball team and SAAC.
After her time in the program, there is no doubt her presence will be greatly missed.
"One word I have to describe Riley is selfless," Taylor said. "You are not going to find anyone who cares more about her teammates and always does everything she can to the best of her ability. We have been so lucky to have her in our program."
Her future plans include finishing her master's degree and pursuing a career in student-athlete development.
As she spends her last months as a student-athlete herself, Sents has words of wisdom she hopes to spread to other student-athletes, especially freshmen.
"Get involved in organizations outside of your sport whether it be in athletics or on campus," Sents said. "Use your resources here at Mizzou to succeed."
