BALTIMORE, Md. – Ariel Richard put aside her love of relaxing on the beach to focus on her future.
The Coppin State senior volleyball standout enjoyed a memorable four-week experience working as an intern at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital in the physical therapy and rehabilitation department this summer.
“I shadowed physical therapists in different parts of the hospital whether it was the neurology department, acute care, or surgical,” Richard said. “I watched what exercises they did and the levels that they worked with their patients. It was really interesting and helpful. I know that this is something I really want to do. This experience has me excited for my future after college. It’s nice to know that the classes and courses I am taking here are helping me reach my goals.”
A sports medicine major, Richard worked up a serious sweat by spending 20 hours a week interning at Hopkins and taking two summer classes in chemistry and microbiology. The experience was invaluable for her. Fortunately for Richard, she had a supervisor who understood her busy schedule.
“I had a heavy load this summer.” Richard said. “But I was able to stay on top of my classes. There were times when I took some flash cards with me to work and sometimes I studied on my way there. Sometimes, they gave you some down time. I learned plenty from the hospital that I wouldn’t have learned if I just did an outpatient clinic internship.”
Richard was able to get a first-hand look at what patients endured during their recovery. She remembers witnessing patients struggle to get out of bed and walk to the short distance to the restroom. The daily interactions with others left an indelible mark on the affable Richard.
“I just like seeing the progress of the patients,” Richard said. “From seeing them on the first day of their rehab, barely getting out of bed and standing up on their own and then being able to see them walk out of the hospital was really emotional for me. I like being able to help people get from their lowest point to their highest point.”
Richard has done that for the Coppin State volleyball program. She has been one of the leaders of the Eagles during her marvelous career. Each year, Coppin State has advanced further and set program records along the way.
As a freshman the Eagles won five matches and didn’t make the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) tournament. Richard was named a second team all-MEAC selection following that season. As a sophomore, Coppin State won 11 matches and qualified for the MEAC tournament. Richard led the team in kills (303) and kills per set (3.44).
Last season, Coppin State enjoyed a season to cherish by winning a school record 15 matches and advancing to the MEAC tournament title match where it lost to Hampton, 3-2. That setback serves as motivation entering the Eagles’ highly anticipated 2014 campaign that begins on Friday, August 29 against New Jersey Tech in the La Salle tournament.
“It’s great to know that everybody is going to remember our group,” Richard said. “Winning the MEAC championship this year would mean the world to me and change my life especially since it’s my last year. It would be something I would always remember. We’re excited for the season to begin.”
Richard has also impacted the Coppin State program with her individual statistics. With 893 kills, Richard is second all-time in program history behind Brittany Alvin, who holds the school standard with 1,079.
Last season, Richard appeared in all 31 matches and played a total of 99 sets. Named to the All-MEAC Volleyball Academic Team, Richard was second on the Eagles with 250 kills and a .153 hitting percentage. Richard averaged 2.53 kills, 2.84 points and 1.33 digs per set. She had 11 matches in which she finished with at least 10 kills, peaking with a season-high 18 kills against Hampton on Oct. 25 in a 3-2 victory.
While Richard is a talented volleyball player, she also has a hidden aptitude for playing the guitar.
“I play the guitar sometimes because it’s relaxing for me,” Richard said. “I’ve been playing for a year. I taught myself how to play through you tube videos. I’ve always wanted to play it so I just sat there and figured it out on my own.”
A California native, Richard will get an opportunity to spend some time on the beach and hanging with her friends before returning to campus to begin volleyball camp in August. She has plenty to look forward to on and off the court.
Richard may be gifted when it comes to the rudiments of the sport as evidenced by her numerous accomplishments, but it’s her character, selflessness, pleasant attitude and willingness to assist others that make her special.
“My goal is to be a certified and licensed physical therapist,” Richard said. “I don’t know if I want to do it in the hospital or in an outpatient setting, but I definitely know that I want to do a physical therapy program after Coppin. I am definitely thankful for the experience I had this summer.”