Though there have been 186 collegiate games played between two seniors of Central Connecticut volleyball, Raquel Quirarte and Kaitlyn Kushman, no game matters more than the next. Gearing up to play in the Northeast Conference tournament this weekend, the two seniors are more than focused at the task at hand: winning.

Never one to shy away from pressure, Quirarte describes the Blue Devils run to the playoffs as “anyone who has played or plays collegiate sports’ dream: get to the championship their senior year, and win it.”

The Blue Devils won both of their games this past weekend, ending their regular season on a high note and reenergizing a team heading into the playoffs. The two seniors were honored during the final regular-season game Saturday against LIU Brooklyn, where CCSU was also able to handily defeat the reigning champions.

According to Quirarte, the team “had a little bit of a confidence lull, it was tough losing games back to back how we did. This win really boosted our confidence and it put us in a really good mindset to head into NECs next weekend.”

CCSU goes into the NECs tied with Bryant for second place with a conference record of 10-4. Both Quirarte and Kushman have done their part to get the Blue Devils into the position they are in this season. Quirarte ranks second on the team in blocks (61) and digs (217), and third kills for the team (215). Kushman is averaging a career-high 2.55 digs per set in her senior season while adding in 116 assists.

The two seniors gained loads of experience over their four years, and have come a long way.

“Starting out at Central,” Quirarte explained, “I had a very aggressive and emotional mindset. I was an emotional player, and I still am, I’ve just learned to control it better. Today [against LIU] I went out there and was relaxed. I thought ‘whatever happens, happens.’ People tell me all the time that I’m a player who plays well when I don’t think. It’s sad that it took me so long to figure that out, but I’m here now and that’s all that matters.”

Over their last four years, Quirarte and Kushman have made countless connections with their teammates, something Kushman will miss the most.

“Volleyball brings us all together, and that’s something I’m really going to miss. [Raquel and I] were best friends from the start, so it’s hard to let go of that,” Kushman said.

The friendship, Kushman notes, did not go without mention from Quirarte, who looks forward to her future and looking back on memories of playing.

When Quirarte sees her teammates years from now, she looks forward to  “remembering the family that we [the team] had together. I think we have a great group of girls this year, I love so much. We’re a giant family, it’s great.”

For Quirarte and Kushman, they’re hopeful they can reminisce over a championship. For both the seniors and rest of the Blue Devils, the fight for that starts Friday.