SU’s Payne aims for success

Ena Payne has had a productive volleyball career during her time as a middle blocker/outside hit-ter on the bluff.
Correction.
Payne has had a sensationally productive career at SU, one which saw her blossom as a sophomore before being selected to the 2007 All-SWAC Second Team and 2007 All-Louisiana Second Team as a junior.
That career took one last step toward a grand finale Thursday, as Payne and fellow senior Lakenya Simpson played their last home game in Seymour Gym in a 3-0 loss to Prairie View.
But enough about the team.
Let’s get back to how all this relates to Payne and her last days dawning an SU uniform.
For starters, Thursday was senior night, a night to celebrate and reflect upon an outstanding collegiate career as a player and student.
Second, with the season nearly over, Payne leads the South-western Athletic Conference in kills, averaging 2.92 per game.
She also ranks third in SWAC in total points.
“I’ve had a great career, but there is always room for improvement,” Payne said. “If I’m third in points, why can’t I work my way to first?”
Depending on how far SU advances in next week’s SWAC Tournament, Payne just may get a shot at catching the conference leader in Texas Southern’s Ashlee Cooper (4.02).
“There’s always the SWAC Tournament,” Payne said. “I need to pick it up.”
If not, there’s still a lot to be proud of.
Payne is on pace to graduate with a Psychology degree at the end of the year.
She’s also in the process of selecting a graduate school to further study her area of interest. At press time, Payne said she is trying to decide between Florida A&M and University of Florida.
“I love Florida and am trying to narrow my choices,” Payne said. “Both schools have exceptional programs.”
Either way, Payne’s playing days are numbered.
“I’m excited to move on but sad at the same time,” Payne said. “It’s the end of my college career, I’m done.”
Hopefully she is able to enjoy the same success as a graduate student that she had both, on and off the court at SU.