Advice From Fellow Players 2030 Addition

We wanted to put together an article that allows players to help players. This is not an easy sport, especially if done at a high level. The amount of skill it requires to pass a ball with no spin coming at 30mph or timing an up tempo set correctly so that you can properly make contact with the ball in such a way that it goes cross court into the area you are aiming for. There is also the way to handle teammates, handle your coaches and how we handle both failures and success. We have asked a few players who play alongside you HOW THEY DO IT. Thank you to those players taking the time to help others.   [player_tooltip player_id='851712' first='Alexys' last='Willis'] Defensive Specialist for Heritage Hall:   Why is your position so important to the game as a whole? “As a libero, my position is important because we help control the pace, energy, & communication on the court. We're usually involved in almost every rally through serve receive, defense, & keeping plays alive. It's also important for a libero to help run the offense during out-of-system plays when the setter takes first ball, because we become the second contact and have to make smart decisions to keep the offense flowing and give hitters opportunities to score. If you dream of being an elite libero focus on loud purposeful communication skills and perfecting fundamentals. Help your team learn that they win or lose tournaments through their practice preparation. Tournaments should be the fun time to shine & show out! Learn the strengths & weaknesses of both your teammates & your opponent equally. Keep your teammates organized on the back row, keep your hitters and setters confident, make sure everyone stays connected in huddles focused on the next ball during high-pressure moments.”   What's a strategy you use when taking in and applying the coaching you receive? “One strategy I use when taking in coaching is being very intentional about listening and immediately applying corrections in live reps. As a libero, details matter, so I try to focus on small adjustments instead of overthinking everything at once. I also communicate with my coaches a lot because understanding why something works helps me apply it faster in games. Its very important for all athletes in general, but especiallly players who have areal time affect of the outcome of every play and game to stay addicted to the process and focused on the moment rather not the outcome. You can Win Bad and lose Great! But how did you navigate the process for yourself and team. My motto is Ill never come to practice to practice! I come to show my team and my coaches how much I have been practicing since our last one. Every ball and point is championship point and a MUST win opportunity. I try to help everyone see how to BE ALL IN-Not BUY IN theres a huge difference!” How do you go about being a great teammate? “I go about being a great teammate by being the loudest source of energy and encouragement on the court. Demanding everyones max efforts on every play leading by example always. Striving to only be better than the version of myself yesterday. I never play against an opponent, I play for my team on my side. I want to make a perfect pass so my setter and hitter can shine! I want to dig the ball on a block so my hitter gets another shot to dominate! And my team earns the Point! As a libero, I believe it's part of my job to keep everyone confident, communicate constantly to my back row and my hitters on every swing helping pick holes they can target while they are in the air thinking about where they want to hit it and bring positive momentum even during tough stretches. I try to lead through effort, attitude, and making sure my teammates always know someone has their back.”   [player_tooltip player_id='903892' first='London' last='Laubach'] Outside Hitter for Cascia Hall:   Why is your position so important to the game as a whole? “I think my position as an outside hitter is important bc I help contribute in all aspects of the game.  Outside hitters are often back in serve receive as passers, we attack at both the net and in the pipe and we are consistent blockers as well. We as Outsides have multiple responsibilities on the court but the most important thing is to be reliable and consistent in long rallies and do our best to end points!”   What's a strategy you use when taking in and applying the coaching you receive? “ When a coach speaks to me and offers adjustment advice or how I can do something better with my game, I try to implement it immediately.  If it doesn't come naturally, I will continue to focus on the skill or the adjustment until it feels more comfortable.” How do you go about being a great teammate? “ Volleyball is truly a team sport and being a great teammate is one of the most important parts of being a great contributor to the game. Personally, I try to keep a positive attitude, lead with good body language and cheer on others to help promote the consistency and confidence needed by all on the court. It's my goal to celebrate my teammates more than I do my own successes. Every single girl on the court contributes in equally important ways!”   [player_tooltip player_id='904381' first='Lillian' last='Reimer'] Outside Hitter for Owasso:   Why is your position so important to the game as a whole? “My position as an outside hitter is important for defense and delivering on offense especially when our team is out-of-system. This way we can deliver on offense even if the pass isn't perfect or if our setter is out of position!” What's a strategy you use when taking in and applying the coaching you receive? “ I love to break down feedback and simplify by making changes step by step. This helps build habits gradually and without stress. Also, imagining applying the changes in your head gives yourself a visual in order to establish new muscle memory!” How do you go about being a great teammate? “A great teammate is ready to cheer on their team when they succeed and support their team if they fall. A team should also be unified in order to overcome any challenges that they might face together. After all, we are always stronger when we work together rather than separately.”   <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/tessa-proper/" id="904397">Tess Proper</a> Setter/Right Side Hitter for Carl Albert:   Why is your position so important to the game as a whole? “My position is so important to the game as a whole because when you're playing the right side position, it's essential for scoring points and bringing balance to the court. Instead of setting the ball to the outside every time, setting the right side can change the momentum of the game.”   What's a strategy you use when taking in and applying the coaching you receive? “A strategy I use when taking in and applying the coaching I receive is really focusing on the correction my coach asks me to make. I also remind myself that the corrections my coaches want me to fix help me become better at the sport I love.”   How do you go about being a great teammate? “I try to be a great teammate by supporting my teammates no matter what during a game. Encouragement is really important in volleyball because it's a very mental sport, and it's really easy to get in your head. Even if it's something like a ball you shanked or a hit in the net, it's really vital to be there for your team.”   Our 2026 summer showcase is just around the corner and we have over 45 of the best players already registered! Use the code DerekJackson10 to save $ when you register.

We wanted to put together an article that allows players to help players. This is not an easy sport, especially if done at a high level. The amount of skill it requires to pass a ball with no spin coming at 30mph or timing an up tempo set correctly so that you can properly make contact with the ball in such a way that it goes cross court into the area you are aiming for. There is also the way to handle teammates, handle your coaches and how we handle both failures and success. We have asked a few players who play alongside you HOW THEY DO IT. Thank you to those players taking the time to help others.