Editor's Note: Leading up to Senior Night on April 14, the men's volleyball players who are playing their last season in 2018 will share a reflection about their time in the Green and Gold. Today, we have setter Brian Negron.

With senior weekend being only a few days away, I couldn't help but think about my experiences as a volleyball player, which ultimately led to George Mason University. I remember tripping while running through cones when I was just seven years old trying to be as good as my brothers. I remember not being able to make an underhand serve at the age of nine. I remember Maribel Agosto looking at this 5'10" scrawny 10-year-old and asking me if I wanted to set because she believed I had the hands for it. I remembered being called up to my first traveling club team, a 12-year-old squad in Los Vaqueros de Bayamon. I remember my coach Angel Ledesma, pushing me to new levels as I had an asthma attack my first practice and wanted to quit volleyball because of it. I remember crying about having to go practice with him again and my dad telling me I wouldn't be able to play video games if I decided to quit. I remember Henry Rivera giving me the opportunity to attend the Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola, one of the most prestigious high schools in Puerto Rico and be a part of their team with a scholarship. This team had undefeated seasons multiple years, while I also met my best friends still to this day during those years. I remember Israel Delgado pushing me to the edge at the age of 12 telling me how much I needed to improve if I really wanted to dedicate my time to this sport in the most real and positive way. I remember Carlos Rodrigues and Carlos Cardona making me a project of the National Team. A 15-year-old kid practicing with the best of the best in Puerto Rico twice a day and traveling during the whole summer for World Championships.

I also remember the man who made a dream come true. A man who put all of his trust on me when people were saying maybe I wasn't good enough to compete at the Division I level. That man was Fred Chao. I remember him calling me and making an offer that would change my life. The chance to attend George Mason University with a scholarship, a school I knew nothing about. Little did I know that I would end up making history alongside teammates that turned into brothers. I remember Jay Hosack coming in and pushing my buttons to new levels making me a better player day by day. I remember Joe Norton being my confidant, coach, and best friend. I remember the people who took care of my body: Joey Sierzega, Justin Fegley, Alex Milton and Danielle Saltarelli who put in countless hours trying to fix my nagging injuries. I remember the trainer that led me to believe there is no such thing as a limit when you really want to go and achieve something, Abdiel Mulero. Finally, I remember my parents, brothers, friends, and family being there since day one. Telling me to do my school work and excel at everything I want to do in life.

This four years taught me a lot of things. It taught me that volleyball is not only a sport, but a vehicle that led me to receive a great education, meet awesome people, and experience new cultures around the world. It taught me that losses are a chance to learn and improve upon. It taught me that hard work means a lot more than talent. It taught me that when millions are wishing you hell, trillions are wishing you the best. It taught me to put my will and aspirations above those who don't want me to succeed. It taught me to dig in and work as hard as I can day by day, because I control my destiny.

In a couple of weekends, I'll be considered an alum of what I consider to be one of the best program cultures in the nation. I am grateful to have met the friends I did, to sweat the same jersey people like Rick Lucas and Uvaldo Acosta wore, to have work with awesome people inside the athletic department like Jeff O'Bier, to have fans like the Beyers, the Crites and the rest of the parents.

Finally, I am grateful that I got a chance to go to battle alongside the people I did. Patriot Nation you made me feel like I never left home. For that I am grateful.