Volleyball | 5/31/2023 10:44:00 AM

DENTON, Texas (May 31, 2023) – To pioneer forward and continually achieve success, we must honor and celebrate those who came before. Individuals who worked to build and maintain the legacy of Texas Woman's University Athletics.
 
Our alumni created traditions, set records and upheld an incredible culture of Pioneer Athletics, so student-athletes today can continue to write their stories at TWU.
 
Throughout the summer, we will be highlighting a TWU Pioneer alumna each week. Today, we feature former volleyball student-athlete Katy Ranes.
 
Ranes attended TWU from 2016-20 and played volleyball with the Pioneers through Fall 2019.  
 
"I really liked the location," Ranes said. "TWU was a winning team, which drew me to the program and the great culture the team had. All the players spoke very highly of the program, which helped draw me to want to play at TWU."
 
From Copperas Cove, Texas, Ranes was a decorated high school setter, being named a two-time First Team All-District Setter and a First Team All-Area Setter. Her high volleyball IQ and elite level of play quickly translated to collegiate volleyball and positively impacted the Pioneers.
 
During her freshman season, Ranes saw action in 54 sets, recording 486 assists and 50.5 points.
 
As a sophomore with TWU in 2017, Ranes continued to elevate her play. She served as a team captain and led her team to a Lone Star Conference (LSC) Tournament appearance. Across the season, she recorded 1,361 assists, 32 service aces and 120.0 total points. She was named Second Team All-LSC and a member of the LSC All-Tournament Team.
 
During the LSC tournament, Ranes and the Pioneers defeated #25 Angelo State 3-1 in the opening round and advanced to the semifinals, where they defeated Texas A&M – Commerce in five sets to earn a trip to the LSC Tournament Championship match for the first time since 1997.
 
In the win over Texas A&M – Commerce, Ranes recorded 42 assists to lead the Pioneers to victory. The Pioneers would fall in the championship game to Tarleton.
 
Then, in 2018, Ranes cemented herself in the TWU history books, becoming just the fourth Pioneer (at the time) to be named an All-American. After leading the LSC in assists on the season with 1,329, Ranes was named First Team All-LSC and First Team All-Region. In the postseason for the Pioneers, Ranes earned another LSC All-Tournament honor. She capped off an incredible junior season with the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America Honorable Mention honors.
 
During her senior year, in 2019, Ranes was named Honorable Mention All-LSC and led her team to another postseason appearance. As the ninth seed, the Pioneers defeated the eighth seed, Lubbock Christian in the opening round, in three straight sets. In the next round, TWU faced Texas A&M – Commerce, who was the number one seed in the tournament. The Pioneers upset the Lions in exciting fashion in five sets to advance to a semifinal meeting against Tarleton. In the win, Ranes led the Pioneers with 23 assists.
 
Despite dropping the semifinal match to Tarleton, Ranes said the win over Texas A&M – Commerce was a highlight of her career.
 
"My senior year, we beat Texas A&M – Commerce in the conference tournament, which was a big deal because they were hosting and were the number one seed," Ranes said. "That win was one of my favorites and is one I remember the most."
 
While all the accolades, honors and wins felt memorable and amazing for Ranes, she said her favorite part of being a TWU Pioneer was the friendships she made with her teammates.
 
"My most memorable and favorite memories from college are really just anytime I got to spend with my teammates and friends," Ranes said. "I made some of my best friends from the volleyball team and being at TWU, so I will always cherish my time there. I sometimes wish I could go back, because we were all together - all the time."
 
On the court and in the classroom, Ranes said the greatest lesson she learned as a Pioneer was determination.
 
"If you really want something, you have to work hard for yourself to get it – nothing will be just given to you," Ranes said. "Volleyball most of all taught me it takes not just my work, but the work of the team as well."
 
Ranes majored in Kinesiology at TWU with a minor in psychology and had dreams of becoming a physical therapist. Fast forward three years and Ranes' dream is coming true, as she recently graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center.
 
"It has always been my dream to be a physical therapist, since I can remember," Ranes said. "In junior high, I found out what physical therapists do, and since then that is what I wanted to do. Then, playing volleyball for 12 years, I had a lot of teammates go through various injuries, and I always thought it was so cool that they could come back to the sport they loved after being rehabbed."
 
As Ranes reflected on her time as a Pioneer, she said the lessons she learned while being a college athlete – time management, determination and drive – set her up to be successful in her pursuit of her doctorate degree. Above all, she said her advice to current TWU student-athletes is to ferociously pursue your dreams.
 
"Whatever career path you want to go down, it is definitely doable," Ranes said. "Sometimes, it just might take extra work, but it's so worth it in the end to be able to meet your goal and meet your dream. Being an athlete isn't always easy, but it's so worth it."
 
After graduating from TWU, Ranes stayed involved with volleyball recreationally and looks to return to coaching club after her most recent graduation, and she will still be around the sport in her current role as a physical therapist – because ultimately, she loves the sport.
 
"I just love how it is truly a sport that takes the entire team," Ranes said. "Specifically, from my time at TWU, I just loved being with my teammates and that just made it so much more enjoyable and fun. It was the best thing ever - being able to play a sport I love with my best friends."