Q&A with Molly Perzichilli

<p>After suffering from injuries over the last few seasons, Molly will not be stepping out onto the court for her senior year. Though it'll be tough, she has remained positive about her future without volleyball as she reflects on her career and the memories that volleyball has brought her over the years. </p> <p><strong>1. Until recently, you planned on playing your senior season. What happened that is preventing you from stepping on the court this year?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the night of my teams section semi final game against Stillwater, I went up for a hit on the outside. The next thing I knew I was on the ground in complete shock. The trainer told me I hyper extended my knee so I went back out and the same thing happened when I went up to hit again. I ended up tearing my ACL and part of my meniscus, but at least my last hit playing high school volleyball was a kill.</span></p> <p><strong>2. Will you remain involved with the team, or will you be supporting from the stands?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I will not be 100% involved, I joined the yearbook staff to give me something to fill my time that originally was volleyball, but I will be popping in here and there whenever I can because it’s not just something I can forget about. </span></p> <p><strong>3. Is this something you hope to work through so you can play at the collegiate level?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve thought long and hard about this but I have decided I won’t be playing in college. I have a much bigger chance of tearing my ACL on my other leg and I need to put my focus on education.</span></p> <p><strong>4. How did last years season go for your team and you individually?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Last season actually went pretty well. We had a record of 18-11-0 which was over a 500, which is what we were hoping for. For me, last season was the best one yet, I came out after not being able to play my sophomore season due to a broken foot and I was fortunate enough to be an all around player. I did receive all conference as well.</span></p> <p><strong>5. How do you feel you have evolved from freshman to now as a player and as a person?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since freshman year I have evolved so much as a player. Obviously, being a freshman on the varsity squad can me very scary at first, but the girls took me in and treated me like a sister and it really inspired me to be a big leader on the team in the next two years. Since I wasn't able to play my sophomore season, I really stepped up and helped out with the team and that lead to me being selected as 1 of 3 captains my junior season with Natalie Riley and Emma Macken, the best girls I could lead a team with. </span></p> <p><strong>6. Who or what has inspired you the most throughout your volleyball career?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">My inspiration throughout my volleyball career has been myself. Every time I played I always worked to become a better player and a better person. I couldn’t have done it with out my team though. Everyone on my high school team is always helping each other out. We all work together to become a better team.</span></p> <p><strong>7. How did you end up playing for MN Select? What made MN Select the right choice for you?</strong></p> <p><strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">I started playing volleyball when I was in 5th grade. Originally, I was a dancer, and my big sister played volleyball. Her coach would bug me about playing volleyball every time I saw him, so I decided to try it out. I started playing for my schools volleyball club (CVC). Then when I got to 7th grade I tried out for MN Select. It was the scariest but most exciting thing I ever did. It was the best atmosphere and I loved it. The discipline and skill they taught us were amazing. I wouldn’t trade my decision for playing at Select any day, I actually made the most amazing friends from playing there.</span></strong></p> <p><strong>8. When it comes to support, who do you feel are your biggest supporters and how have they motivated you to be the competitor that you are today? How are they helping you get through missing your senior season?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">My biggest supporters are my parents. My mom was my travel buddy and came to every single game. If she couldn't, she had a very good excuse. She always encouraged me to be my best self and she made me the player and person I am now. My dad was constantly pushing me and sometimes it may have been the slightest bit harsh (a good harsh) but it motivated me so much. I loved hearing him in the stands before the whistle would blow. I would look up at him and he would wink. My parents were very supportive about my situation and that I am unable to play.</span></p> <p><strong>9. What advice would you give to players who are going through similar challenges as yourself?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If I could give advice to players going through the same thing as me, I would say don’t give up. Keep pushing and trust the process. There will be frustrating bumps in the road, but I am a very strong believer in the fact that everything happens for a reason. I’m still waiting for my reason, but for now I’m just going to keep doing me and we will see what happens.</span></p>