Walk-ing The Walk
August 28, 2024 | Volleyball
State volleyball veteran Rebecca Walk sets the standard for her teammates.
STARKVILLE – The sound of shoes sliding across the court and exuberant communication vibrating off the walls of the Newell-Grissom Building signified the strenuous work Mississippi State volleyball is putting in ahead of the 2024 season.
But if you are looking for the loudest contributor to the commotion, it will not take long to locate graduate Rebecca Walk leading her teammates through every aspect of the game.
"I think she's truly the face of the program," head coach Julie Darty Dennis said. "She's a great role model [and] leader for the younger girls. She's done everything we've wanted and more and I think she's just the ultimate teammate. I'm really proud of Becca."
For newcomers and veterans alike, Walk treats everyone with the same respect and kindness. Those aspects of her personality have made her one of the most dignified athletes in the history of the program.
Her most important quality, especially to those getting acclimated to life in Starkville, is her ability to be the big sister for the newcomers getting ready to suit up in the Maroon and White for the first time.
"It's been awesome to work with Becca," junior Florida Atlantic transfer Arianna Beckham said. "She's been awesome, [and] she's honestly been a role model to me since I've been here. She set the standard of how to attack every practice every day and how to attack academics as well."
One of Walk's traits that have garnered the most respect from State's coaching staff, players and fans is her commitment to serving her community and excelling outside of the classroom.
Since joining MSU in 2021, Walk has been named to the SEC Community Service Team every year. She also earned CSC Academic All-District in 2022 and 2023, which is given to the nation's top student-athletes for their accomplishments on the court and in the classroom via the College Sports Communicators committee.
It is no secret that Walk is one of the most accomplished athletes in the program's history. She has etched her name into the record books as a player and a scholar, but most importantly, as a fearless leader.
With her illustrious collegiate career coming to a close, Walk aims to continuously improve her leadership ability and leave it all on the court one last time for her teammates.
"We're all really excited for the season," Walk said. "After the end of last season, I was really super eager after the way the season ended to get back in the gym in the spring and the summer too. We worked really hard before the coaches even got in here, in captains' practices and stuff just working with all the new girls. It's been really exciting just to get to meet everyone and learn our new system with all of them in it."
Soon, the stands will be filled, and the seats will be rocking as State performs in front of the Bulldog faithful. For the native of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, this season just means more.
"It was the greatest decision I've ever made," Walk said when asked what it meant to be a Bulldog. "I would not still be playing volleyball if I didn't come to Mississippi State. It's been the best experience in the world, and I'm really grateful for my four years here and I'm going to miss it a lot."
