Evie Robbins plays in a home volleyball game. Credit: Charlie Stumb, Watauga Yearbook.
Watauga Volleyball finished a successful season in the third round of the playoffs. The team's success can be attributed to many players including Evie Robbins, who has completed her final year as a member of the team. Robbins and several seniors are considering what they foresee for their futures post-Watauga Volleyball and reflecting on what the team has meant to them.
Evie Robbins has been playing volleyball since her freshman year of high school. She has received collegiate offers from a few schools that have seen her potential, including Lees McRae. She’s currently working on making a decision about college.
“I’m undecided,” said Robbins. “I have a few schools I’m thinking about, but I’m not sure if that's the route I want to take.”
Volleyball has provided a community of friendship, comfort, and support for all of the members of the team.
“My favorite memory this year was beating Ardrey Kell in the second round of the playoffs,” said Robbins. “We went to five sets. They were a really good team and we all came together and played really well. It was my favorite game I’ve ever played.”
The team has shown exceptional teamwork and collaboration this year, and it took them all the way to the playoffs.
“Volleyball has always been a positive outlet for me. I’ve always had my friends playing volleyball. Every time I go to practice, I see a smiling face,” said Robbins. “I’ve had great coaches to encourage me as well.”
Kate McCullough also had a strong finish to her senior season after playing for the team for all four years of her high school career.
“I’m going to miss my friends the most,” McCullough said. “My teammates gave me energy on days I felt dead, and I always felt surrounded by love. I am going to miss having that kind of support every day.”
McCullough plans on playing club volleyball in college wherever she chooses to attend.
“I wouldn’t change this season for the world,” said McCullough. “It was the first season I didn’t play as much as I did [previously], and it made me work harder and feel more accomplished with myself through the process of it all.”
Despite losing some valued players, the future is still bright for Watauga Volleyball. Sophomore Rylee Mitchell was a player on the JV Team this year. Next year she will be playing on Varsity.
“The seniors really ruled the team this year, but I think we still have potential,” said Mitchell.
Addison Parker is a junior on varsity this year. She is looking forward to her senior season next year.
“I’m excited to be a senior and get to play more and be one of the leaders on the court. I love the grade under us so I’m excited to be with them,” said Parker. “I want to be more of a leader than I have been the past years.”
Being a leader is certainly important, but teamwork is also vital for the team to thrive.
“For our team, we’re friends and we all get along really well. I love the environment of the team; we’ve all been playing with each other for so many years now,” said Parker.
Watauga’s Junior Varsity Team had a great season as well. The qualities of community and teamwork are also clearly present in the younger players.
“I feel like our JV Team worked really well together and that really helped us,” said Mitchell.
Having fun is arguably even more important than winning all the games, and it can certainly lead to greater success. Having a positive attitude is crucial.
“I’m excited to play next year,” said Mitchell. “I love the sport; it’s really enjoyable for me.”
Even though they had a great season, Watauga Volleyball is already looking to set goals for the future.
“I think our team goal is to beat Ashe and avenge ourselves from this year,” said Parker.
With leadership, attainable goals, and positive reinforcement, Watauga Volleyball will come back stronger than ever next season.
“Our seniors this year were vital to the team, but I think that we’ll all improve a lot being on Varsity,” said Parker.
The seniors saying their goodbyes to Watauga Volleyball will continue to be thankful for the beauty volleyball has added to their Watauga High School story.
“Volleyball has always been a place of community,” McCullough said. “I couldn’t have imagined my high school experience without my teammates. I was given mounds of love and laughter that I’ll never forget.”
Comentários