February 19,  2025

Serve > Train > Compete Feature I Presented by Kessinger Lee

WILMORE, Ky.— Asbury Athletics is committed to providing student-athletes an opportunity to serve, train, and compete through college athletics for the glory of God. The Kessinger Lee sponsored Serve > Train > Compete Feature aims to highlight Asbury student-athletes pursuing this mission. 

Kessinger Lee presents Olivia  Mansfield as a Serve > Train > Compete featured student-athlete.

Olivia Mansfield | Art Education | Women's Tennis | Jr. | Cicero, IN.

Olivia is a junior on the women's tennis team at Asbury, majoring in art education. She embodies the vision of Asbury University Athletics to use the platform of college athletics to share the light of Christ and compete for His glory. 

Olivia has exemplified SERVE  by serving her teammates on and off the court.

She represents TRAIN  by her consistent hard-work on the court and commitment to pushing her teammates to be the best they can be.

Olivia reflects COMPETE with her competitiveness on the court in competition.

View Olivia's answers to questions we asked her below!

• What does serving, training, and competing for the glory of God mean to you?

   Serving, training, and competing for the glory of God means to me that it is not to glorify myself or about whether or not I win but that I am a vessel for others to see and experience the love of God. Ultimately, that is what is important. I am a Christian who is able to use sports and tennis as an outlet for my faith and as an act of worship.

• Who are some of the coaches, faculty and staff that have impacted you at AU?

Professor Laura Ury, Emily Leininger, and Maria Brown have all impacted me at AU and have helped guide me as I grow in my faith and how to intertwine it with all I do. I am so thankful to have them in my life.
 

View Olivia's answers to questions we asked her below!

• How have you grown spiritually during your time at Asbury?

  I have grown a lot spiritually here at Asbury and continue to learn how to have an intimate relationship with Him in my everyday life. Along with this, I am learning how to trust Him and His plans because they will not always be what I expect or want, but ultimately, they are better. I am thankful for a God who wants to guide me and walk by my side.

• What advice would you give to new student-athletes coming to Asbury?

 I would say to remember to laugh and that you are not alone in the sport. It is easy to get caught up in the sports, rankings, and winning, but at the end of the day, it is important that you grow, learn, and have a fun time playing. My parents always reminded me that all that matters is that you put your whole heart into what you do. I am also so thankful for the relationships I have built through Asbury and on my team. They support and encourage me not only in my athletics but also as a person. Even in a more individual sport, like tennis, it is important to still be a team that cheer one another on.