In this day and age of constant transfers, players graduating early and even numerous coaching changes, solid contributions from a player who will commit four years to an institution have become an ever-increasing rare phenomenon. Not so for senior
Darian Mullen, who put in her four years and was rewarded by becoming the New Mexico Highlands volleyball leader with 1,318 kills (3.22 kills per set).
"Playing here for all four years of my career was something I'm really proud of," explained Mullen. "Throughout my career, I have seen very few players stay for their period of eligibility. Breaking the kill record was an accomplishment that I could not have done without my all teammates and coaches the past four years.
"The consistency and ranking came from the teams I've had and the coaches that taught me, each different but great," Mullen noted. "A hitter can't do their job if they don't have a setter and defensive specialist to give them opportunities."
The head coach for her senior season,
Bryan Crawford, was also quick to praise Mullen's play and her contributions and her commitment to Highlands' volleyball.
"Darian is the first volleyball player in a few years that was a four-year member of the program. During her time with the Cowgirls, she has proven herself to be a powerful offensive attacker. There have been many matches that Darian single-handedly kept the Cowgirls in offensively," explained Crawford. Without Darian's impressive ability to score points, the team most likely would not have fared as well as it has these past few seasons without her.
"Darian will be a tough player to replace as she has been hovering around the top of the conference for the past three years for her kills. Offensively, Darian was clearly one of the best players in the RMAC and by far the best offensive player that we have had here at Highlands University," Crawford added.
Mullen finished each of her final three seasons in the top-10 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in kills per set. She finished fourth in the conference and 48th in the nation her junior year - her best season statistically - with 3.68 kills per set and 2.38 digs per set.
In her final season, Mullen finished with the 378 kills. In the seventh match of the season against St. Edward's, she reached the 1,000 career kill plateau. She saved the best for last in her career, finishing with double-digit kills in 13 of her final 14 matches.
She had a career-best 29 kills on only 55 swings (.455 hitting percentage) and four errors in a five-set win at Black Hills State Oct. 18, 2013. Her last two kills of the contest saved a match point and in-turn put the Cowboys on match point (which was promptly won, 16-14, on an attack error by Black Hills State).
Despite all her success on the court, Mullen remembers most the little things that mean so much to her.
"I don't have one specific favorite memory," Mullen explained. "Everything that I've gone through holds a special place for me, I have some more memorable than others but it's the little moments that means the most. An example would be a snowball fight a bunch of us girls got into with the coaches in South Dakota.
"But one of my favorite things that make every year unique and different are the inside jokes that are created," Mullen added.
For all she has accomplished in her great career in etching her name in Highlands's athletic history, Mullen remains humble and acknowledges there are talented players who are or will be in the program.
"I'm excited to have left a mark at the school even though it will only be a temporary. There are some very talented up-and-coming players like the ones I played with this season and a few that stuck around from the season before that."
Finally, Mullen credits her family for being such solid supporters in her athletic ventures throughout her volleyball career – both before and at New Mexico Highlands.
"But none of that would have been possible without my family," Mullen said. "My mom raised me to have passion and drive in everything I do, but especially in volleyball. As long as I can remember, I have been around volleyball; watching my mom play and playing with her until I was able to officially compete in the 5th grade. And my family went to most of my games throughout elementary, middle school, mid-high school, high school and tried to come to most of my games at Highlands. This year, she was able to come to nearly all my games in and out of state which made for a memorable end of career year."
Thank you for the great memories over four years,
Darian Mullen!
