Senior Molly Kate Patten has committed to the University of Georgia (UGA) for volleyball next year and is a role model for students in sports, academics and showing Longhorn pride. She loves spending time with family and friends, traveling and playing volleyball, andPatten has played for Lambert for three years. She’s committed to the UGA team as a right side – a versatile position where she plays both defense and offense. Volleyball has been her favorite sport ever since she started playing, and it gave her exactly what she was looking for as she entered high school.
“I used to play tennis but I think I really wanted to play a team sport and volleyball was it,” Patten said. “Volleyball gave me a very supportive community and all of the girls are really like family.”
Patten thinks that the sport has helped her as a student too, that is evidenced by her graduation at the end of this semester. Playing volleyball helped her grow throughout high school, on and off the court.
“It really helped me develop time management skills, be more outgoing and just made me a better person,” Patten explained.
The process to being selected by UGA is an extensive one, where different colleges visit to watch your skills in the spring, and you may receive an offer letter that summer. Patten was sent her offer on June 15, and it took two months to make sure this was where she wanted to be.
“I actually went to a camp at UGA, and I fell in love with it,” Patten shared. “I loved the campus, the coaches [and] the athletes, literally everything about it.”
Patten has left behind an exemplary legacy for future Lambert volleyball players.
“I want to be remembered as a person who was always positive on the court, and helped encourage all of my teammates through everything,” Patten said. “And with a sport like volleyball where it’s so fast and easy to make mistakes, it’s even more important to show that light and leadership as a player.”
Patten is graduating early from Lambert this semester, leaving behind her teammates, friends and the athletic community at Lambert.
“My message to all student athletes is to work as hard as you can, and put all the effort you have into the sport,” Patten explained.
Molly Kate Patten’s determination, hard work and commitment throughout her years at Lambert helps her serve as a role model for all student athletes, and her legacy remains in Longhorn’s hearts. Patten will accomplish great things with Lambert cheering her on as she embarks on her new journey to UGA.
