Freshman adjusts to Varsity volleyball team

As you walk onto the volleyball court surrounded by fans cheering and chanting, you go to your spot on the court and take a deep breath focusing on the ball.  When you hear the first whistle and the ball is served over, you calmly yet effectively pass the ball up to your team resulting in a point.  

Isabel Day is a 14-year-old freshman on the varsity volleyball team.  She has been playing volleyball for four years and has put her heart and dedication into improving her technique and bettering her skill.  

Being a freshman on varsity can come with many high expectations and nervousness. 

Day’s first impressions of the team and sport was that she started liking volleyball toward the end of the season more than at the beginning.

“I’ve made more friends and feel more comfortable around the team,” she said. 

Being a freshman playing on varsity can have many high expectations and can get overwhelming.  Since Day has been playing for a while and has worked on improving often she said it wasn’t too scary.  She mentioned that before every game, she gets nervous so it wasn’t that different.

Being the only freshman on varsity can have struggles; for example, not knowing the team as well and having to bond.  Since most of the girls have been playing together a couple of years, Day had to branch out.  

Doing sports takes up a lot of time and can get hard to manage school and sports. 

 “It has helped me with time management but I’m used to having a lot of volleyball and managing my time,” she said.

Day plays all around meaning she can hit, pass or dig.  She has many chances to help the team in different ways.  

Day has a sister, Abbie Day, who is also on varsity.  Abbie, a junior volleyball player, said that it is awesome to finally play volleyball with her sister since they have never gotten the chance to play together.  

It comes with its struggles though, like arguing a lot and not listening to each other. 

Abbie said she really enjoys “celebrating good wins and when she gets good points with her.”

Abbie says that Isabel contributes good plays and is new so has a lot to show.  She also said that Isabel plays everywhere so she can do it all and really help the team when they are down.  

Isabel said that having her sister made her more comfortable and make more connections.

Her best advice to girls playing volleyball or coming into South next year is, “Don’t be scared and embrace your skill and work hard.” 

Isabel will have to keep working hard and improving her skills to show the coaches that she deserves her spot on that team.  She will play tough so she can keep enjoying the thrill of walking out on the court and getting a point.