Volleyball ... More Than Just a Game for ORU Freshman Breanna Rivas; It’s Also About Faith
Breanna Rivas
Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
ORU Volleyball | Area of Study: Criminal Justice
The dictionary defines “blood, sweat, and tears” as “a lot of effort and hard work,”
which is why the phrase is often associated with college athletes. On the court, college
athletes go through the blood, sweat, and tears required for practice, competition,
and commitment. Hard work drives them morning, noon, and night.
But for many college athletes, competing isn’t just about the blood, sweat, and tears. Yes, hard work is central to their success but so is their faith. This is true of Breanna Rivas, a freshman on ORU’s volleyball team. On the court, Breanna finds strength in her faith, not just as an individual competitor but also as a teammate.
Part of a Special Freshman Class
Breanna Rivas traveled 650 miles from Albuquerque, New Mexico to attend ORU. She came to campus as a student-athlete, but she also came as a member of ORU’s second largest freshman class in the last 15 years. It’s a class that Breanna describes as “special.”
“This class,” Breanna said “shows God's love and God's grace. They’re willing to worship God, and that's the beautiful part of being a freshman at ORU. We’re a class united, and what unites us is our love for God.”
But this faithfulness isn’t limited to just Breanna’s freshman class. It’s a part of the whole University, and as Breanna points out, it’s also part of life as an ORU athlete. As a member of the ORU Volleyball team, Breanna believes that growing in one’s faith happens both off and on the court.
“There's a stigma that athletes go to college just for their sport,” Breanna said, “but here, athletes are so much more because they build on their relationship with God."
As a team, we minister to each other, and we show God's love and God's grace. This strengthens our chemistry through a bond that most athletes will never have. We trust in our faith, and before stepping on to the court, we pray and talk to God.”
“Talking to God” is part of Breanna’s connection to the Holy Spirit, a connection that guides and strengthens ORU’s Spirit-empowered students and athletes. At ORU, Spirit-empowered living is foundational for student development and central to the way Breanna prepares and plays.
“When I'm playing volleyball,” Breanna said, “I imagine the Holy Spirit as my coach or as a parent in the stands. As an athlete, the Holy Spirit has taught me how to uphold my values even in tough times. When I feel anxious or upset during a game, I think on who the Holy Spirit is and how I can apply those characteristics in the moment.”
Growing in a Community for Faith
While faith plays an important role in the individual lives of ORU athletes, faith is a team effort too. For ORU Volleyball, faith connects and strengthens the whole; it is core to the team’s identity. Because of this, Breanna has found a faith family in her teammates.
“We’re a faith community,” Breanna said, “and as a team, we share our testimonials with each other. Coaches play a part in our faith too, bringing words of devotion and sharing messages that guide us. There are big moments of faith for the team, but there are small moments too, like when our team captain prays for us before a game or when we lock arms and pray with the other team.”
Before coming to ORU, volleyball’s deeper connection—the connection of faith—wasn’t obvious to Breanna. Playing in high school, Breanna’s teams shared a love for volleyball, but according to Breanna, these teams were missing something at the core.
“We had nothing in common besides volleyball,” Breanna said. “Our teams were a bunch of different people with a bunch of different beliefs. It’s different at ORU, and it’s what I love about my teammates. We all love God, and we keep Him at the center of our team.”
And with God at the center, Breanna has become a different kind of college athlete.
“In the short time I’ve been here,” Breanna said, “I've been able to grow in my faith and grow spiritually. I'm now in tune with God and hearing His word. I imagine God as my closest friend; our conversations are casual and thoughtful. I journal my prayers, notes, and revelations, and every day, I sit down with God and spend time in His word.”
Learn more about America’s Spirit-empowered University ... ORU, ranked Top 5 in America for Student Engagement by Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Ed.