Paiten Baesa, University of Dallas, Volleyball - Character & Community

Paiten Baesa, University of Dallas, Volleyball - Character & Community

PAITEN BAESA OF UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS, a senior defensive specialist on the volleyball team from Rockwell, Texas, has been selected the SCAC Character & Community Female Student-Athlete of the Week for the week beginning October 31.

The SCAC Character & Community award honors the efforts of student-athletes who excel in the field of athletics, and also serve their campus and community.



Paiten played in her final volleyball match for the University of Dallas this past weekend, having spent all four years of her career as a Crusader. Though she will surely miss playing the game she loves, it has always been about the UD community for her.

Having already enjoyed the small school experience in high school, she was easily drawn to the university and its volleyball program. “I liked the fact that I could talk to my professors and they would actually know who I was, I wasn’t just a number,” said Paiten. “The biggest draw for me was that the girls on it were so friendly and they were so welcoming and they didn’t know who I was yet. I was brand new and they were very willing to open their arms and take me in.”

Being a leader in the community has always been a priority for Paiten. She was an active member of the student council all four years of high school, and made frequent trips with her youth missions group down to Mission, Texas, to run week-long camps for children in need. She didn’t stop when she arrived at UD.

Paiten joined FCA her freshman year at UD and has been a member ever since; she was made vice president her junior year, and has taken on the role of president now in her senior year. 

“I joined FCA mainly because I was looking for a group of friends outside of my inner circle, which was mainly my teammates at that point. I wanted to meet new people, make new friends that were older than me, on other teams, and that weren’t student athletes.” 

She has also continued her service work in Mission, though now she is a chaperone, molding the future generation of servant leaders.

Paiten’s service work has left a lasting impact on her, and as a business major is already thinking of ways to make it her life’s work. 

“Working with these kids has definitely impacted my life in a way that I didn’t see coming. I could see myself working in a non-profit and being able to serve others, which is where I find a lot of joy; helping those who really need it. I really think it has impacted me in a way that I won’t ever be able to change.”

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