LOGAN, Utah – Five years, two schools and time in several positions have given Utah State senior volleyball player Ally Packard a unique collegiate experience.

After starting her career at Snow College, she has spent the last three years on the Aggie bench. From the start of her volleyball career, Packard has played all over the court. As she wraps up her playing days this weekend, she sees her willingness to be flexible as a huge plus. 

"I've bounced around a little bit, but I've loved playing all of it. If I'm on the court, I'm happy," Packard said. "I've enjoyed it. Anything I can do to help my team out and fill that role, I'm happy to do it."

When she started playing, she played middle blocker, then moved to the left side when she reached junior high. As her club career progressed, her coach would occasionally put her in as the libero.

"I had a really good club coach that would have me play libero sometimes so I could become a better passer to help me be a better outside. It helped a lot," Packard said. 

At Snow, Packard was an outside hitter, playing most of her time on the back row. She was able to utilize her experience in each position as she found her place on the Utah State roster. 

"When I got here, I recognized that my playing time was going to come from the back row. I got a lot of good reps so that I felt comfortable going in as a defensive specialist," she said. "That's been good for me now with the different needs of our team."

Throughout her final season, that flexibility has given Packard even more opportunities. Starting the year as a defensive specialist, she has also seen time at libero after a season-ending injury to a teammate. Doing a little bit of everything, she has had career-high performances in every statistical category, highlighted by 24 digs and eight kills.

"I recognize that I'm here to be like a utility player," Packard said. "I'm here, I'm willing to get put in wherever they need me and wherever I can help our team out. I feel like that's been my big role this year, especially."

The dedication and initiative Packard has shown has not gone unnoticed by Utah State head coach Grayson DuBose. 

"She has a work ethic like few kids I've had in this program. She really works hard," DuBose said. "She embraced whatever role we've thrown her in, whether that was as a DS, libero or outside hitter. She ran with it and did the best she could. I've appreciated who she is on a lot of levels."

Off the court, Packard also hopes she is seen as a leader and a friend by her teammates. 

"I've been conscious about being really involved with the team," she said. "I genuinely enjoy my teammates and love being a part of it."

As a transfer student-athlete, Packard knows the struggles that come with that and has tried to help others quickly feel like they are part of the Utah State family. 

"I love helping people feel comfortable in the program when they get here at first, trying to help the transition because I had a hard time transferring here," she said. "I feel like I relate to people, so I want to help people get amped about our program and enjoy it as much as I do." 

After playing her first two years of college volleyball at Snow, Packard made her way to Utah State. Growing up, USU was always the dream, as it was a bit of a family tradition. 

"My parents went here, this is where they met, and then my brother-in-law (Dalton Forsythe) played football here. My brothers both went to school here," Packard said. "We were always rooting for the Aggies growing up. I'm super grateful that I was able to end up here at the school where I always wanted to be at."

Packard particularly enjoyed her two years at Snow. From the small-town feel to her time on the court, she is grateful for the years there. 

"I had the awesome opportunity where I went to school and I was on the court, playing and getting all the experience and reps and court time. We helped build their really successful program. We had a good winning record that helped them recruit better and now they've got a really good program," Packard said. "I had a hard time leaving, but it was what I needed to end up at a place like this."

Coming off an injury during her final spring at Snow, Packard redshirted her first year at Utah State. She spent the year recovering and getting healthy, while building relationships with her new team. 

"I had a long way to go to get back in shape. It was a hard transition moving from such a small, close-knit school to such a big program, especially coming in as a junior and being a little bit older. I had a hard time in the beginning of that," Packard said. "Being injured is hard overall, but it took a couple months before I got used to everything and got comfortable with the girls. Last year was great, and this year has been really good."

In her three years in Logan, Packard and the Aggies have developed a deep connection. 

"I just genuinely enjoy these people. I haven't been on a team quite like this," she said. "I've been really close to the other teams, but we really are like family and care about each other a lot. We spend so much more time with each other compared to other places I've been. It's not just an in-the-gym friendship, but more like a lifetime friendship."

From early mornings in the weight room, to practice, travel and team dinners, the 15 members of the Utah State team spend much of their day together. As a result, the team has grown close together and created something special.

"I think it's a forced thing at first, we're around each other all the time. Then I think it comes through the working hard with each other," Packard said. "We're doing it all as a team. Teams either splinter or come together, and we come together really well."

With her volleyball career coming to an end and graduation looming in December, Packard has a lot of changes come up. The changes don't stop there, though, as she is also getting married next month. She and her fiancé, Clayton, met through a mutual friend, and will get married on Dec. 28. 

"He's always at all the games and has been my number one fan and supporter," Packard said. "It would be hard to play if he was not so understanding. He is so supportive and always helps me have a good attitude."

The newlyweds will stay in Logan until Clayton finishes his master's program next May. Packard is completing her degree in history with an emphasis in museum studies and plans to work in a museum or in education. 

Throughout her volleyball career, Packard has consistently done whatever is asked of her and playing where she is needed. The work she has put in will continue to carry her to success as she moves through her life. 

"No matter what you do, hard work is what matters. Playing time might not always turn your way, or life might not always go your way, but if you're putting in your effort and doing everything you can, then you can be satisfied with what you've done," Packard said. "Being a student-athlete isn't easy, but I think it teaches you that you can do more things and how to stick through it and enjoy it in the process."

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