I am an Athlete
Tabatha Piper
Department: Communication
Major:
Marketing
Class: 2015
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Many student-athletes will tell you that playing one sport in college is demanding of your time. Most would admit playing two seems beyond challenging.
Any college freshman struggling with time management can take a good look at Tabatha Piper, who has balanced her studies to not just participate, but excel in both volleyball and basketball.
“It was hard deciding if I wanted to play one or two sports upon coming here,” said Piper. “It was a little rough getting started, but I think playing both sports for me is more efficient and helps me utilize time management.”
A three-sport athlete in high school, Piper earned four letters each in volleyball, basketball, and softball and attracted the attention of Division I volleyball scouts along the way. However, with basketball as her first love and her mother working at Otterbein, she decided to bring her talents to Westerville.
Tabatha wasted no time making an impact, helping the volleyball team play to its best season in school history and making the NCAA Tournament. At 5’11”, she led the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) in assists form her setter position en route to conference “Freshman of the Year honors”.
She joined her basketball teammates less than 48 hours after the end of volleyball season, and was inserted into the starting lineup after two games. The team played to its best season since 2005-06, finishing third in the conference and reaching the 20-win mark for the first time since 2003-04. Tabatha made Ohio Athletic Conference history, becoming the first athlete to earn Freshman of the Year honors in two different sports.
“Just going out there and doing what I love helps me have fun with the team and make new friends,” she said. “I would totally recommend playing a sport in college, because you’re never going to get it back. If you don’t enjoy it then you can always go find something else to do, but not trying could make you regret it.”