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For senior Emily Reed, the four-year journey on the volleyball court has been full of plot twists and forks in the winding road. But, in the end, all that hard work and dedication for the Dons made her experience that much more special.

"Playing at USF has been kind of like a dream come true," said the Sunnyvale, Calif., native. "Walking into the gym every time is so heartwarming. I love seeing all the green and all the gold and just that feeling, the butterflies you still get every game you play. It's unreal."

Entering her senior season, Reed's squad faced a multitude of changes, from a new coaching staff to a nearly new roster as one of just three returning players to take to the hardwood in 2016. For Reed, the personnel change also led to a role change as she moved into a position of leadership both on and off the court.

"When she came out (for Senior Day) I was just thankful that she did stay loyal, she did stay with the group, with the Don family, when she could have gotten out," noted head coach Vicki Brown. "I think she was a really good example of how to stay in the moment. It is a battle, and battles are not won by just little victories, it's an accumulation of victories. The continuous battle mentality – she does a good job of being a good example of that."

And that drive to battle to the last point is exactly what Reed wants people to recall when looking back on her career for the Green and Gold.

"I just want to be remembered as someone who always fought, who never gave up, who stepped up to the challenge and fought through it. It's so cool to look back and see everything you've accomplished in four years. I've had such an amazing time playing next to people that believe in me, who love playing with me, and I'm so happy that I got to have this for my last year."

Here, on the final day of the 2016 volleyball season as Stanford and Texas vie for the title at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio tonight, learn more about USF's lone volleyball senior in this video vignette for USF's cable television show, "Behind the Mask."

While Episode 4 of the season isn't slated to debut until Dec. 28, fans can watch the rebroadcast of Episode 3 on Monday, Dec. 19 at 10 p.m., or visit the USF YouTube channel to see segments from the season.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California can typically be found on channel 698 for DirecTV customers, 438 on the Dish Network, 412-01 on Dish Hopper packages, 767 on U-Verse and 41 on most Comcast packages. Check local listings for your cable provider's station guide and additional air dates and times each month.