Get to Know the Winners of the Top Passer Poll

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We created a free article that had a poll embedded in it asking who you thought the best passer in the state was. Let's take a look at the top three finishers and get to know them a little bit better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750107' first='Naomi' last='Ross']</strong>-</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thanking Two People</strong>: "First, I want to thank God. He's the reason I play and the One<br>who's carried me through every high and low. He has given me the strength, discipline and opportunities and I try to give all the glory back to Him.<br>Second, I would love to thank my parents. They've poured so much into me, sacrificing time, energy and so much more to help me chase this dream. My dad has been such a huge influence in my life, not just with volleyball but in how I carry myself. He's constantly encouraging me to be mentally tough, disciplined and to chase greatness while always keeping my character and faith first. My mom has always been my steady support, always praying for me, and reminding me to stay humble and full of grace. I am beyond grateful God gave me two parents who believe in me and love me so deeply!"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What Makes You a Good Passer</strong>: "I have had some amazing coaches pour into me. They've taught me the technical details that make a huge difference. From the start they've drilled me on platform control, body positioning, tracking the ball with my eyes and angles, and being intentional with every single rep. I have learned how to read hitters and make quick adjustments. I have learned that consistency, repetition and hard work have helped me. Mastering the little details, being disciplined, confident, and calm have made a difference. Great passing isn't just reacting, it is anticipating, adjusting and truly owning the moment. I must give credit again to God for giving me the strength every time I step on the court."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Advice to Younger Passer</strong>: "Don't ever be afraid to work harder than anyone else in the gym. Stay focused, stay coachable…chase growth, not perfection. It doesn't matter what people say or think about you. What matters most is who God says you are. And remember this, a sport will never define you…your identity goes beyond a sport. No matter how you play, you are fully loved, fully seen and fully known by the One who created you. So play with joy, play with purpose…give all the glory to God, not just for<br>the wins, but the way you lead, serve and love your teammates…even in the quiet moments when no one's watching. God sees you and is proud of you. My dad always reminds me, your talent will open doors, but your character is what will keep you there, and that is something I carry with me every time I step on the court…how you play matters, but who you are, who you are becoming and Who you are matter more than<br>anything else. Jeremiah 29:11."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>End Goal for Volleyball</strong>: "My ultimate goal is to compete at a high collegiate level and<br>become the best athlete, teammate and leader I can be. More than just<br>chasing success, I want to be an example for the Lord, through how I<br>play, how I treat people, and how I carry myself on and off the court. I<br>believe God gave me this gift for a reason, and I want to use it to reflect<br>Him and bring glory to His Name every step of the way!!"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[<strong>player_tooltip player_id='750955' first='Ella' last='Kate Starke']-</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thanking Two People</strong>: “The two people I want to thank are 100% Coach Will and Coach Josie. Before I got to peak I never knew the game of volleyball, only played for 2 years and both years I was on a 3's team. Walking into peak tryouts I never would've thought I would've made Will and Josie's team. So when I got the phone call that Will wanted me on his team I had never been more excited in my life. So I just want to thank them for taking a chance on a girl they have never met or worked with before and pushing me and making me better every day. They truly made my 16's season and gave me my spark in volleyball and showed me I don't just play volleyball to play volleyball but it's because of the people it surrounds me with. I got lucky to be in a program like Peak because it isn't just a regular club, Peak is truly a family. The connections I made this season I will have for a lifetime and I hope I can continue to grow and create more in the future.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What Makes You a Good Passer:</strong> "I think what makes me perform well is my energy. I always try to bring energy to the team whether it's just by being the funny person everyone can find a laugh in or making a play that will make the team alive and make everyone have fun and be excited to play. Passing isn't something that comes naturally. You truly have to put in the work and not just want it for yourself but for your team. 2 years ago I would look up to girls who were in my position now so now that I'm here I want to make the most of it and work as hard as I can to make myself a better player every day."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Advice to Younger Passers</strong>:My advice to younger girls is that even if you start late or play for a different level of team it's never too late to want to put in the work and better yourself. If you want it, work for it, and pray for it. You will succeed. But you need to learn to enjoy the process and thrive in the process because results do not come overnight. And results also don't come if you can't believe in yourself. When you play with confidence you will always be playing your best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>End Goal for Volleyball</strong>: “My ultimate goal is to play at the highest level as long as possible. Of course, June 15th happened last week, so I've been talking to colleges to see where I fit. So, hopefully, I will be able to commit in the future. My goal once I commit would be to just enjoy everything about the program I end up in. I want to be able to enjoy school, friends, and the staff and make the most of the opportunities.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755551' first='Addison' last='Levescy']</strong>-</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thanking Two People</strong>: "After having the honor to have been taught by many great coaches, there are two that stand above the rest. First I would like to thank my school ball coach, Kortney Jones, for instilling the love of the game into me again. Lastly, I would like to thank my 13s coach, Heather Erickson, for teaching me to have confidence in myself. If it wasn't for these amazing women, I would not be the player I am today and I am truly grateful to have been given the opportunity to have been coached by them."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What Makes You a Good Passer</strong>: "I would like to think that one thing that makes me stand out as a passer is my effort. I have learned that endless pursuit and 110% effort will always pay off in the end. No matter how far or how fast the ball is I will always put my body on the line."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Advice to Younger Passers</strong>:One thing I would like to tell young passers is to never compare yourself to others. Everyone has had different experiences and are on separate paths. Believe in yourself!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>End Goal for Volleyball</strong>: "After playing volleyball for 8 years my g 1. After playing volleyball for 8 years my goals have changed overtime. However, when my career comes to an end, I would like to look back and have no regrets. With that in mind, I would like to have been given the opportunity to have played at the college level and have played with joy and passion."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->