Posted 11/17/16, 5:28 PM CST

DALLAS (AM News Net)  –  Jumping up and down on the court, blocking opponents' hits, and the cheer of the crowd are all things that would normally excite a college athlete. However, Oklahoma senior and middle blocker on the volleyball team Micaela Spann also enjoys something else about the experience.

"One of my favorite things here at OU is the platform that I have to influence others," Spann said in an interview with the Big 12. "I get to go and play with kids and I get to to go and speak to schools and do community service and all of these people I have no idea who they care what I have to say just because I'm an athlete at OU."

The middle blocker, who has always played volleyball for fun and grew up playing the sport at Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas, plans to serve the community further out of college.

"I am getting my undergraduate in health and exercise science, and then I'll apply to occupational therapy school after I graduate from here," she said.

Spann explains she could work with kids, adults, and the elderly.

"I think there is so much to learn from all three age groups," she said.

Spann hopes she can help others and inspire young girls to follow through with their passions because she has faced struggles and has learned important messages.

"I kind of learned down the road that there is so much more than volleyball," she said. "Don't get me wrong, volleyball is so important. It has taught me so many characteristics of working hard, of loving others, of team work, of being able to have confidence in yourself to face challenging situations, and that's so important."

The senior blocker concluded with her saying she is a champion for life.

"Just to be able to encourage [struggling girls] in the low points of their life makes me so joyful" she said.

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