Alexandria Carter/Winonan

For Winona State University junior Jamie Cairncross, being busy is an understatement.

When she is not playing libero for the Warrior volleyball team, she is balancing classes, working on the “Train Project,” operating the physics club and maintaining a job.

“I stay more organized during the season. I have to be on top of everything,” Cairncross said.

Her typical day starts at 7:30 a.m. and does not end until 7 p.m. unless she goes to the physics lounge after practice. Her volleyball practices vary from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. depending on how the team is doing, what is going on and if it is game day.

The volleyball team lifts three times a week, usually taking time out of practice from 3 to 3:30 p.m. If she has an away game on Thursday night she is also gone on Friday, which makes her Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays “catch-up or get ahead days.”

“Like on Friday I missed a test and I have to make it up on Monday or I have to take it before I leave,” Cairncross said.

On game day she tries to keep her schedule as consistent as possible. The only thing that changes from her routine is a few hours before game time when she takes time to get focused.

Cairncross said her mental preparation for away and home games is basically the same.

“I have learned that there is so much going on in-between traveling that it is easier to keep it simple,” Cairncross said.

One of Cairncross’ pregame rituals is warming up with teammate Taylor Goar by passing against a wall.

“I don’t think that it [skipping pregame rituals] would affect my game, but I would feel off for a little bit,” Cairncross said.

New for this season, the team has implemented a leadership council where they meet with head coach Joe Getzin to discuss problems that need to be corrected from previous games. Cairncross is one of the leaders of the council, along with teammates Lauren Kudronowicz, Maria Fruechte and Goar.

“It helps us stay on the same page. It also helps to check in with teammates and see how they are doing not only with volleyball, but with classes,” Cairncross said.

Cairncross’ role on the leadership council includes pumping up her teammates before a game by reminding them what they are there to do. She also tries to stay as positive as possible in any situation.

“It is important to us to stay connected and make sure everyone is ready to go and knows the game plan,” she said.

Having that connection and strong chemistry was important for the team to build off the court. Their team chemistry was built in part from losing only two players from the previous season and taking part in bonding activities.

Some of those bonding activities included doing a low ropes course together, eating meals together and playing games on the bus together.

“Our team is really close so we are together a lot,” Cairncross said.

Cairncross is not only busy on the court, but off the court as well.

For her physics major, she is taking multivariable calculus, conceptual physics and university physics IIB.

As the president of the physics club, she also has meetings on Wednesday nights and student athletic meetings once a month.

To top it off, she has a job with the university preparing labs for the physics department on Monday or Tuesday in between classes.

In addition, Cairncross is taking part in a new project called the “Train Project.”  The project designs text message systems that will monitor how long it takes a train to pass through town.

With October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the volleyball team has “Think Pink” games where they will sell T-shirts. The money raised will go towards cancer research.