More Than A Game
Jentry Lamirand
It started at home.
Just me, a basketball, and two older brothers who refused to take it easy on me.
Soon, it was every sport—football in the backyard or volleyball at the gym. I was always trying to keep up, trying to prove I belonged.
Growing up in a competitive, sports-loving family in Decatur, Texas, that kind of challenge wasn’t just normal; it was expected. My dad played college basketball, and both my brothers were athletes, too.
I was the youngest, the only girl, and determined to hold my own.
But over time, that competitiveness evolved into something deeper: a genuine love for sports and the lessons they teach.
Now, as a senior volleyball player at SMU and president of our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), I’ve come to realize my journey has always been about more than winning.
It’s been about leadership, growth, and figuring out how I can help the people around me improve as well.
This final season with the Mustangs means a lot to me.
I want to play my best volleyball, but I also want to lead in a way that leaves a lasting impact—on my team, on our athletic department, and on the young girls who come to our games and see themselves in us.
Finding My Sport
I was always a multi-sport kid. Basketball, cross-country, track—I tried it all.
But volleyball stuck.
I was around seven or eight years old when I first picked it up. At the time, our high school program in Decatur was dominant. I looked up to those girls like they were celebrities.
I wanted to wear that jersey.
I wanted to be that kind of player.
By sixth grade, I was all in. And in high school, it started to pay off.
I was fortunate to be a two-time Texas state MVP and lead our team to incredible success, but what mattered most was how I got there—and who helped me along the way.
Two of my coaches, Brett Braziel and Catherine Forester, played a huge role in shaping me into the player and person I am today.
Coach Braziel was the first one who made me fall in love with the game. His belief in us, in me, was unwavering. That’s powerful for a young athlete.
Then, Coach Forester came in during my junior and senior years and pushed me to a new level. She challenged me every day and gave me the foundation to succeed beyond high school.
That foundation eventually led me to SMU.
Choosing To Be A Mustang
My recruiting process wasn’t easy—or typical.
Between rule changes about when athletes could speak with college coaches and the uncertainty of COVID-19, it was hard to know where I stood at times. But through it all, SMU was always my dream school.
Both of my brothers attended a nearby university, so I was familiar with the area and the energy surrounding SMU.
When the offer came, I didn’t hesitate.
I committed that same day.
Since then, my time with the Mustangs has been everything I hoped for and more.
The coaching staff has helped me grow not just technically, but mentally and emotionally. They’ve taught me how to lead, how to elevate my teammates, and how to contribute in ways that don’t always show up on the stat sheet.
One of my favorite moments occurred during our spring training, right after we found out that SMU would be joining the ACC.
There was a shift—a new energy.
Everyone brought their best. We raised the standard for what it means to be a Mustang, and it lit a fire in all of us.
I’ve always enjoyed the grind. I’ve always seen the most growth from it. After all, anything worth having is worth working for. I’ve always believed that. My parents have instilled that in me.
And that spring, we worked.
I’ll never forget it.
When the offer came, I didn’t hesitate. I committed that same day. Since then, my time with the Mustangs has been everything I hoped for and more. The coaching staff has helped me grow not just technically, but mentally and emotionally. They’ve taught me how to lead, how to elevate my teammates, and how to contribute in ways that don’t always show up on the stat sheet.
Leading With Purpose
This past year, I was honored to be elected president of SAAC.
I joined the committee initially because I wanted to be surrounded by student-athletes who were passionate about making a difference, not just for themselves, but for everyone on campus.
When the opportunity to lead came, I knew I couldn’t pass it up.
This role has taken on new meaning with SMU stepping onto a bigger national stage. I want to make sure we’re not just competing at a high level, but that we’re supporting each other with intention and purpose.
That means pushing for programs like Life After Ball, which helps athletes prepare for life beyond sports through internships, resume workshops, and career development talks.
That kind of preparation sets us apart.
I’ve experienced it firsthand.
I earned my undergraduate degree in accounting this past May and started my master’s program in the same field. Now, I’m planning to apply to law school after graduation—something I never imagined when I first arrived on campus.
But thanks to the support I’ve had here, I’ve found a new passion and a new challenge to chase.
My dad always said I’d make a good lawyer. Now we’ll get to see if he was right.
What I’ll Carry With Me
What makes SMU special is its community.
The little girls who come to our games and ask for autographs? That was me not too long ago. Seeing them in the stands is a reminder of why I started. It’s a reminder to be someone worth looking up to.
I’m also incredibly thankful for my parents, who haven’t missed a single game. That kind of support means everything. It’s what motivates me to give my all—every practice, every match, every meeting.
This year, our team has big goals. We want to compete with the best because we believe we are the best. We’re putting in the work every single day to get there.
But for me, the biggest goal is making sure we’re building something that lasts—something future Mustangs will be proud to inherit.
My time at SMU has shaped me in more ways than I can count. It’s given me teammates who feel like family, mentors who have believed in me, and opportunities that’ve changed the trajectory of my life.
As I step into this final season, I’m ready to leave it all on the court—and off of it. I want to lead with heart, compete with purpose, and show others what it means to be a Mustang.
Because this place isn’t just where I play volleyball.
It’s where I found my voice.
And I’m just getting started.
