Volleyball Senior Profile: Breanna Atkinson

GoDuke.com caught up with senior Breanna Atkinson to reflect on her career at Duke.

GoDuke.com: What place on campus do you consider a hidden gem?

Atkinson: "I like the Ninth Street Coffee Shop a lot. It has a cute blue and white awning on the outside. The owner’s always there and he’s really nice. It’s quiet and a nice place to study. I like coffee, too."

GoDuke.com: What's next after graduation?

BA: "I just accepted a job actually in consulting for Accenture up in Boston. That’s the plan. I’m excited about it. It’s a lot of travel, so it’s similar to what I’m doing now. It’s strategic consulting. I’m helping city financial services. Keep working on the econ, finance type of stuff."

GoDuke.com: What's your proudest academic achievement at Duke?

BA: "I’m kind of in the middle of it now. I’m working on a senior thesis. I’m pretty excited to be approved. To graduate with distinction is tough to do, so I’m excited to be working on it. That’s what I’m most proud of but I’m also in the process of. I’m doing it on economics of education, so I’m looking at the economic efficiency and results of the drop out factor in schools in the low-income areas of cities."

GoDuke.com: When did you start playing volleyball?

BA: "Volleyball was actually the first sport I played. I just fell in love with sports at first. That’s kind of where it started. I used to do dance and karate and stuff. I went to a middle school where volleyball was the only sport they had because it was a really small school. That’s kind of how I got started. I liked it and kept playing."

GoDuke.com: What has playing for Duke meant to you?

BA: "It’s been really fun, really special. I always tell my friends and pretty much everyone I talk to, playing for a school like Duke there are not many schools that have such great academics and also really good athletics. Looking back, it’s challenging especially injuries and time commitments and the late nighters with early practices – things like that – but looking back it’s something special I know not many other people experienced."

GoDuke.com: What's your favorite road trip memory?

BA: "By far, last year the tournament when we went to Seattle. I know the other seniors said it too, but it was a really great trip. I think a lot of us were not happy about having to go cross country when we were ranked that high in the tournament. I had never been to Seattle, but it ended up being a really fun trip, seeing the Space Needle and coffee and Pike Place. I actually ended up falling in love with the city a little bit."

GoDuke.com: What's a lesson you've learned through Duke volleyball?

BA: "I think I learned a lot from the unfortunate injuries I’ve had. It’s really terrible and I wouldn’t wish it on anybody – myself included – but I think I’m kind of impressed with everyone who has dealt with injuries and still is able to keep coming back, keep coming back no matter what happens. That kind of stems from my other teammates who have gone through that and supported me or haven’t gone through that supported me. Melissa [Gresham] and everybody. That’s the biggest lesson I learned – to keep fighting."

GoDuke.com: What legacy do you hope to leave for future Duke volleyball players?

BA: "The biggest thing for me is always people. I think everybody always remembers the person instead of their stats. I hope that my teammates now – as they get older and further into the future – I hope they remember me as someone who’s constantly laughing and bringing some fun to the court and off the court. Someone who’s just there to be your friend more than anything."

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Volleyball Senior Profile: Breanna Atkinson

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