Saturday's volleyball match against Montana State (4 p.m. PT) concludes the 2016 regular season for the Vandals. The match also marks the final home match for Idaho's lone senior member, Terra Varney. 

Varney, a four-year player from Murrieta, Calif., came to Idaho at the start of the 2013 season. Her decision to play for the Vandals was not an easy choice. The defensive specialist never felt the need to leave California.

"I did not really want to go [to college] outside of California," Varney recalled. "I pushed myself to go ahead and make the move. It is a choice that I will never regret. I knew that I had a support system and a family here at Idaho and it has been amazing.

"Once I got out here, my teammates just welcomed me in. My coaches had confidence in me. I just felt welcome on and off the court. That really helped me get through these last four years." 

Her impact on the court was immediate, playing in 26 matches in her rookie year. Varney's numbers only improved as a sophomore. She totaled 359 digs, averaging 3.32 per set. After two seasons as a Vandal she had accumulated 34 double-digit dig matches. She continued to excel in her junior year, finishing the season with 337 digs. She helped Idaho to a 3-2 win over North Dakota in the Big Sky Tournament, recording a season-high 22 digs.

2016 marked Varney's transition to libero. She currently stands fifth in the Big Sky with a career-high 4.66 digs per set. She set a career-high with 34 digs earlier this year against North Dakota. Her 21 digs at North Dakota solidified her mark as one of Idaho's most prolific defensive players in program history, moving into second all-time with 1,421. Varney's digs rank 56th amongst all active DI players. Her 74 career double-figure kill matches rank second in school history.

"I have never really been one to look at statistics," Varney noted. "I just go out and play and enjoy the game and my teammates. I did not really know that I was even that close. My mom texted me before the game and told me. I had no idea before. It is a huge accomplishment. It is awesome but I could not have done it without my teammates and coaches.

Volleyball figures to continue to play a major role in Varney's post-Idaho life. She has plans to coach volleyball in California while completing her student-teaching requirements.