Meet Mia Hunt, #1 2025 Recruit

Photo: Fanta Mithmeuangneua

Emma Adams October 18, 2021 @ 04:13 PM

When Mia was a 7th grader, she came to a camp put on by Central Catholic and immediately caught my eye. She fit right in on the top court, filled with varsity athletes, and did not let the fact that she was years younger impact her play or energy on the court. Now, here we are a few years later, and she still has that same energy she had as a 7th grader, but her skills have improved by leaps and bounds since then.

Trained as a setter since 12U, she played for OJVA 14-1 last season, and set a 6-2, hitting in the front row. She was a crucial part of this team’s success in going undefeated and finishing #1 in CEVA. She helped this team get a bid to USAV Nationals and finish 22nd in the country.

Coming off such an incredible club season, she was ready to make a name for herself for the Central Catholic High School Rams. Making the Varsity squad at Central Catholic as a freshman is an honor only a handful of athletes have in the history of the program, and to go and make an impact on that team from day one is even rarer. Hunt is doing just that, though. This team is currently sitting at #3 in the State, and Hunt is a critical part of this team’s success. With senior Lauren Stemple Lauren Stemple 5'7" | S Central Catholic | 2022 OR and junior Mia Starr Mia Starr 5'10" | S Central Catholic | 2023 State #176 Nation OR running a 6-2, coach Hambley knew she needed Hunt on the court, but knew it would be a tall order to have her play a position she was a bit unfamiliar with. However, Hunt did not skip a beat and is dominating playing all six rotations as an outside attacker, opposite senior Elliott Bush Elliott Bush 5'8" | OH Central Catholic | 2022 OR .

I had the chance to email back and forth with Hunt, and she answered some questions for us:

Why did you choose to play volleyball?

I chose to play volleyball because I looked up to my older sister Olivia. I grew up watching her play and I wanted to be just like her.

What is your favorite volleyball memory?

My favorite volleyball memory is honestly just being involved in the sport and the people I have met. Every team I’ve ever been on has become so close and the friendships that I’ve made have lasted years. One of my best friends, Malia Parker Malia Parker 6'0" | OH Central Catholic | 2025 State OR , has been on a team with me for years and I’m so grateful for her. This past year COVID affected our club season but our team still had so much fun. We got to go to a few places and during all those trips we really bonded. I think getting to play volleyball with a team you are connected to is really important. You’re able to play better when you have that connection.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

I think the best advice I’ve ever been given is to use my failure as fuel instead of defeat. In the past I know I’ve been discouraged when something didn’t go perfectly right but after interpreting it in a positive way I’ve been able to work harder and push myself. I think it’s important to fail because it determines what kind of person and player you are.

What are your goals for your volleyball career?

I would like to leave Central Catholic as a role model for younger girls who play volleyball. I know when I was little I looked up to Julia Carr and Bella Scarlett. They were practically celebrities to me. It’s important to me to be that kind of role model to other little girls who come into the Central Catholic volleyball program. It’s also very important to me to get a college scholarship for volleyball. I want to get a scholarship not only for me but to in a way give back to my parents who have driven me to countless practices and given me opportunities not everyone can have.