EASTON, Mass. – The 2025-2026 Senior Reflections is a series of annual collections. Senior representatives of teams at Stonehill have been invited to contribute and reflect on their personal experiences over their four-year careers at Stonehill - both on and off the playing surface. 

Mia Berardino – "Embracing Discomfort"

Why Stonehill?
I committed to Stonehill as a junior in high school, and at just 17, choosing where to spend the next four years felt like one of the biggest decisions I'd ever make. I toured multiple different schools, met with various different volleyball programs, but Stonehill stood out to me. The coaches were genuine, the team was welcoming, and the people I interacted with were always friendly, and it felt like a place I would fully be supported at.  On top of that, I liked how Stonehill was a smaller school, yet the campus is so spacious, striking the perfect balance of being a close-knit community with room to grow.

Embracing Discomfort
When I arrived here as a freshman, I came in reserved, more comfortable with my small circle back home than with stepping into something new. I was afraid of failure; whether it was making mistakes at volleyball or answering a question wrong in class, I always wanted to be right. Stonehill challenged me to grow, giving me the chance to meet so many different people with different backgrounds. Through these interactions, I found my voice, my confidence, and a stronger sense of who I want to be. I've learned how to better embrace discomfort, embrace mistakes, and know that everything will work out in the end.

Best Moments
Some of my best memories will always be tied to athletics. One that stands out is our very first Division I win against Merrimack College my freshman year when we beat them in four sets. It was such an important moment for all of us, like – "Okay, we DO belong here, we CAN do this."  There was nothing more rewarding and exciting than that moment, and I'll never forget it. But just as memorable was the journey itself. Committing here as a Division II recruit, then hearing the news that we were moving up to Division I was an exciting shock. To know I had the chance to compete at such a high level, against various programs from around the country, while representing Stonehill during the transition, has been both humbling and rewarding, I've grown tremendously as a player and a person these past four years, and I'll always carry pride in the memories and accomplishments of my team.

Academically, the highlight of my Stonehill experience was studying abroad in Florence, Italy with three of my best friends. Living and learning in a new country pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I learned a new appreciation for a new culture, as well as my own. It was life-changing to meet so many new people, explore new places, and see how much there is to learn and appreciate beyond the classroom. This experience is truly one I'll carry with me forever, and a reminder of the importance of taking new opportunities when they come, even if they feel intimidating at first.

Lessons Learned
Over the past four years, Stonehill has shaped me in ways that extend far beyond volleyball or academics. Coming in, I had so much pressure on having things go exactly how I had planned out in my head; and I am so thankful the things I thought I wanted or expected to happen didn't.  I've learned the value of genuine friendships, the patience to accept that not everything needs to be figured out at once, and the perspective that good things take time. I'm grateful for every moment, every challenge and every mistake because each one taught me something about myself and pushed me to grow. Along the way, I've learned how to step up as a leader, how to stay steady when things don't go as planned, and how to juggle the demands of school, athletics, and life without losing sight of what matters most: leading with a strong mind, and an even stronger heart.
 
To view the past Senior Reflections visit this site: 2025-2026 Senior Reflections. 

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