Volleyball represents more than just a sport; it embodies dedication and teamwork. Seniors Kyleigh Perkins, Taryne Stiger and Sydney Woods played volleyball together for close to 10 years, dedicating efforts to secure success for the team one game at a time. On the court, the athletes play hard, their routine committed to memory.
High school marks a temporary chapter and forces student-athletes to consider college and future careers beyond sports. While these options linger in their minds, senior year allocates deadlines to these important life decisions. By pursuing diligent studies, these students prepare to explore new horizons in their futures.
“[After high school], I plan to attend [the University of North Texas], but if not, I’ve got options,” Stiger said. “I plan to go into the medical field and become an ultrasound tech.”
Perkins shares similar goals. After remaining teammates for so long, they continue to share common interests.
“I plan to go into the medical field and become a pediatric travel nurse,” Perkins said. “I’m not sure what college I’ll be attending yet, but I’m thinking somewhere in the Dallas area.”
On the other hand, senior libero Sydney Woods intends to continue playing her sport and major in sports psychology. Woods notes that leadership plays an important role in volleyball and any other sport.
“First, [leadership] is a mindset, and second, you have to have chemistry [with teammates] for there to be teamwork,” Woods said. “Once you have chemistry, it all works itself out.”
Additionally, playing volleyball significantly influences the team’s development by enhancing its members’ maturity, social skills, teamwork and overall consistency.
“We balance work, school and other sports,” Perkins said. “I’m trying to get into basketball [as well].”
The friendships and connections made along the way will always stick with them, as well as the memorable moments spent with each other.
“The bond[s] that you create with the girls on your team plays a big role,” Stiger said. “It plays a big role in our lives, not only on the court, but off the court as well.”
Head volleyball coach Melissa Hardy watched Perkins, Stiger and Woods closely since they first joined the sport, noticing their steady growth and improvement over the years.
“They started out as talented, but scared, freshmen on varsity with a lot of older kids,” Hardy said. “Every year, they grew physically as players, as well as leaders. They have worked hard in and out of season each year, which is why they are the student athletes they are today.”
Volleyball involves so much more than just winning or receiving praise from others. Like any other sport, it requires discipline and dedication in players, both during the game and in life.
“I would say it’s just not about the game, but it’s about the things you learn [while] playing the sport,” Stiger said. “Being coached, and the bonds built with the different girls that come in, you learn life experiences from them.”
