Jasa Wiedel has been around volleyball her whole life. Her father coached the sport when she was younger and in her final two years of high school at Thayer Central. Playing in college was inevitable.

She learned about College of Saint Mary through her uncle, who knew of Flames Coach Rick Pruett.

“I looked at CSM first for the volleyball program,” Jasa said. “And then I heard nothing but great things about the nursing program.”

Jasa learned that transitioning from high school to college volleyball wasn’t easy. But the freshman found support from Pruett, the assistant coaches and her teammates, who she said were welcoming.

“Coach Pruett truly cares for each and every person on the team,” she said. “Coming in, that was very welcoming to me. He pushes us daily to be the best player we can be.”

With three years of eligibility remaining, Jasa is looking forward to meeting more people and growing as a player and person.

“In three years, I’m not going to play volleyball,” she said. “I think there are certain aspects and things you can learn along the way that will also aid me in nursing.”

Jasa has always had a passion for helping people. But some family experiences also led her to seek a career in nursing. When she was a teenager, Jasa’s sister collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. She had to be revived 11 times before she was diagnosed with myocarditis. Jasa’s niece was just 3 years old when she was diagnosed with eye cancer, resulting in losing her right eye.

“Seeing all of the nurses and the providers who cared for my sister and my family was a big step for me,” Jasa said. “I feel like all the health scares I’ve been through with my family pushed me to do the same for others.”

While working as a CNA in her hometown of Hebron, Neb., Jasa met some traveling nurses who attended CSM. She learned how the professors are supportive, which influenced her decision to enroll at CSM.

“The class sizes made a big difference for me, too,” she said. “They don’t just look at you as a number, they look at you as an individual with potential and a purpose.”