DILLON, Mont. - In a continued effort to showcase Montana Western current and former student-athletes as more than just a number on a jersey, UMW Athletics continues on with its regular web series titled "Off the Leash". You can view the collections of stories as they are released by clicking here.

Danyel Martin- Redshirt Junior, Women's Volleyball (2018-Present)
"I found volleyball back in seventh grade when I was convinced to go to a volleyball camp. After that camp, I just immediately fell in love with the game. At the same time, my grandpa was getting sick and volleyball became my outlet of being able to cope with him getting sick. My grandpa and I were so close and when he passed away, volleyball was what got me through that.

I realized I loved this game in high school and needed to put more work in, so I joined a travel volleyball team. That is when I really learned that volleyball IQ is extremely important. My favorite memory in high school came when we won the state championship my senior year. You know, my junior year we got second in state and it was a very close match. It went to five sets and they won by close to like two points in the fifth set. I think the fifth set even went to 25 points, like it was back and forth, back and forth. But then in my senior year, we played the same team as the year before and we just went out there and won.

Out of my senior year, I had committed to Lewis and Clark State College. Some stuff happened and so I figured out that was not the path for me. I was leaving Lewiston and was driving through Missoula when it hit me that I was not going to be playing volleyball anymore. It killed me thinking that way, so I was driving and thinking of all the schools in Montana that I would even be willing to play at.

I knew that I was not a very good student in the normal system and I had heard great things about the block system. I decided to call up the new coach at Montana Western. I seriously dropped all my stuff off at my home in Ennis and then drove an hour and a half to meet with coach Katie. I have not left Dillon since. It was like with a good three-hour span from when I told myself I was not playing volleyball ever again to playing volleyball for Western.

Western is a great place to actually grow up, not just mentally and physically, but becoming the person that you want to be. There are so many great people in this community that you can look up to. I will admit the first few months of living here was a struggle because I had not really gotten to know the people in the community, and it was really hard. Then last year, I started working at the Y for the summer camp. I am now a counselor; I work the front desk and I also organize the after-school program during the school year. That is how I learned I am actually really good with kids.

Last year, my boss had me organize the volleyball camp through the Y for the littles. I love all my kids at the Y, and I do say my kids because I have just created this bond with all of them. I learned being a player and trying to teach someone volleyball are two different things. Things that have helped me on the court from being their coach. It just gives you a totally different aspect on the game of volleyball.

Dillon is my home. I love it here so much and working with the kids makes it that much more special. I found my happiness in Dillon, Montana, at an NAIA school. My advice would be to do what makes you happy, trust your gut and do not compare yourself to someone else's journey. Your journey is going to make you happy no matter where it takes you."

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