Some people were born to make history and showcase their talent to the rest of the community. In our world, we have seen many people who have marked their name in different segments because of their capacity and here in Park University, we are witnessing one of the best athletes who have stepped in the Breckon Sports Center court.
Nada Meawad, a senior majoring in business management with a minor in marketing, became the all-time career kills leader for the Park Women’s Volleyball program with 1,457 kills surpassing Wanessa Siqueira's, with 1,456.
“It feels amazing to be able to do something big for Park,” Meawad said. “Personally I didn’t know that I was going to do it but it is such an honor to carry this record,”
The Egyptian started her journey at Park in the Fall of 2017 after receiving a sports-scholarship opportunity to play for the pirates. Since then, she has been elected three times a NAIA All-American and won the National Championship of 2018 for Park.
According to her, since her early years, she always wanted to get out of her comfort zone and do different things than probably would not be done in Egypt. She also said that the college experience she earned at Park will be something that will be always remembered in her life.
“Being at Park is an experience I’ll never forget and I’ll always be a Pirate no matter where I go,” she said.
More responsibility comes to a player who is a leader in the team and she plays this important role inside the squad. She said she is happy with the fact that the team can depend on her. She also mentioned that the time spent here at Park helped her to gain more experience as a player on and off the court.
For Alissa Flint, a senior majoring in Education, having Meawad in the team is a good thing because she helps the team not just inside the court, but outside the court as well. According to Flint, the Egyptian is a good leader and is always trying to motivate her team to win.
“One thing I remember is when we played the National Championship game and I was very tired. I couldn’t feel my arms and my legs. I looked at her and she just had so much determination, energy and she was not going to give up. I really respect that work ethic and this desire to win,” Flint described. In 2018, the Egyptian outside-hitter was able to score the winning point to bring the National title to Park University. Mike Talamantes, Park women’s volleyball coach, described this 2018’s team as a “bunch of fighters”, including all players and coaching staff. For Meawad, the players who shared the experience of winning the National Championship with her are very special and she cherishes every memory she made with that group.
Meawad’s experience in Parkville goes beyond the court and here she made friends that helped her to succeed even more. Mateus Martins, a Park Alumni, is one of them. Martins was part of the Park men’s volleyball team and became very good friends with the Egyptian. He described her as one of the best human beings he has ever met.
”As a friend she is always taking care of everybody,” he said. “She is extremely funny and she is also an example for everybody that she is around.”
2020 has been a very different year for our population. Due to the COVID-19, Meawad and her teammates must follow some protocols in order to compete. According to her, have to consider so many things before play makes things harder, but they have to deal with it.
“It is not easy but it is not the hardest at the same time,” she said. “All I wish for is to finish the season safely and of course get the national title home again.”
This is the last season for the Egyptian at Park and she plans to graduate on May. Even though this is her last college career season, the outside hitter does not want to stop playing volleyball and she said that her main goal is to become a professional volleyball player after she graduates.
The three-times NAIA All-American has big expectations for her last season as a Pirate. Right now, her team is 7-0 in the season and is ranked 5 in the nation. Meawad wants to finish her journey with a big title.
“I’m hoping we’ll be able to bring the national title home again and win our conference and conference tournament,” she said.
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