“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
-Ephesians 2:8-9
When Louisville middle blocker Anna Stevenson decided to return for another year in 2021, even she may not have envisioned the success the Cardinals would have. But soon, a 28-0 regular season put Stevenson and the Cardinals on the national stage as the number 1 seed entering the NCAA tournament. Named to the All-ACC first team and helping lead her team to the semifinal, Stevenson became a fan favorite for the way she carried herself on and off the court. Although the season ended with the Cardinals falling to the now champion Wisconsin Badgers, Stevenson hopes she can continue to use her gifts to leave an impact in the lives of others.
A native of Laurens, South Carolina, Stevenson grew up with a foundation of faith and family. Incredibly close with her family, Anna credits them with instilling in her the values she holds closest to her heart.
As Anna did grow, her path led her to Auburn out of high school, where she played in 26 matches as a freshman and set a new Auburn single season record for blocks/set as a sophomore. The start to her career came as no surprise to those who knew her best and saw the hard work and dedication she always exhibited.
After her sophomore year, Stevenson made the decision to transfer to Louisville. Anna says she can see just how much God was working in that situation and is so grateful to be surrounded by the teammates and mentors she has around her.
“Volleyball has influenced my faith by bringing me somewhere like Louisville where I’ve met so many people who’ve impacted my life. People like my small group leader, teammates, and my fiancé. But then again, that’s just God using volleyball.”
The year has been a whirlwind for Stevenson, who not only had an astounding year on the court, but also became engaged to her fiancé, Duncan. Stevenson says she is just grateful for all the experiences and hopes to use volleyball to touch the lives of others.
Stevenson says her faith has been a reminder that the results of each game do not define who she is. Although it is easy to get caught up in the scorecard and her performance, she says her faith reminds her of where her value comes from.
“My faith reminds me that this is just such a small moment in the grand scheme of spending eternity with him. How can I be upset about playing poorly when he’s blessed me with x, y, and z? Or when I know all he’s done for me? It doesn’t always help, but it keeps me in check!” It has been that mindset that has allowed Stevenson to flourish, both for the Cardinals and for the lives she continues to change away from the game too.
Although Stevenson has seen her playing days at Louisville come to an end, she knows that the impact she is making is only beginning. As Stevenson now begins preparing for her future in volleyball and whatever it may bring, she says she just hopes to be a blessing in someone else’s life whenever she gets the chance. Win or lose, she knows who God says she is and what is always most important.
