The Volleyball Interview: Abigail Durecki (2019)

[caption id="attachment_15535" align="alignright" width="226"]<a href="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/image3.jpeg"></a> Abigail Durecki[/caption] <p>In the second edition of our series, <strong>The Volleyball Interview</strong>, we chat with South Lyon’s <strong>Abigail Durecki</strong>, a 2019 middle hitter for the Lions as well as Michigan Elite 17 Elite West. Durecki helped guide South Lyon to the inaugural Lakes Valley Conference championship in 2017 as she racked up 277 kills, 87 blocks and 53 aces. Currently uncommitted, Durecki has an offer from Northern Michigan while getting interest from Jacksonville University, Grand Valley State University, Michigan Tech University and the University of Houston. Durecki will enter the 2018 fall season as one of the top-returning middle hitters in the state as she looks to lead the Lions to a regional championship and more in Division 1.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What do you consider your strengths as a player?</strong></p> <p>I feel like my biggest strength as a volleyball player is that I am a team player. I work for everyone else before myself and I strive to be better for my team. I cheer my teammates up when they're struggling in the game mentally and I remind them that mistakes happen and that we can get through this game together. Teams win games when they are mentally tough on the court and I am always the person that will make them forget about their mistakes by telling them a funny joke or giving them a pat on the back and saying, "we all still love you". I really like to make sure everyone stays up and confident and has a great time playing a fun sport. I also get a little goofy to cheer my friends up and make them loosen up sometimes. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>What do you consider your weaknesses?</strong></p> <p>A weakness I have is that sometimes I can't cheer my own self up and I get psyched out by a big block in front of me. There have been instances where I get in my own head and think too much about the blockers and I suddenly feel like I can't find a way to get a kill. However, I'm working to overcome this weakness. A coach once said, "if you're thinkin', you're stinkin'." I've used this phrase in timeouts to reflect on our game to improve our mental stability and it has done wonders for me. I continue to strive to lessen the amount of overthinking I do on the court and replace it with confidence in myself.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>What has been your favorite opposing gym to play in?</strong></p> <p>My favorite opposing gym to play in is definitely South Lyon East. Walled Lake Central is a close second though. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Who is your favorite player to compete against?</strong></p> <p>My favorite player to compete against is Grace Kane (DS) from Mercy. She was on my club team last year as a libero and whenever we play Mercy it's always great to see her and she's one of the best teammates I've played with. She's a phenomenal player.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>What is your favorite part of the recruiting process? Least favorite?</strong></p> <p>My favorite part of the recruiting process is that I get to travel and visit schools and get a feel for their culture. Every school is very different from one another and that's what interests me. Although I like going out to visit, I really dislike sending emails. It's very time consuming and it's like constant homework every Thursday night before a tournament during club season.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Who is your favorite volleyball player?</strong></p> <p>My favorite volleyball player is Paige Tapp who was a 2016 grad from the University of Minnesota. She's a middle blocker my height and I constantly watch old games of hers. She has been my inspiration for a couple of years.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>How would you compare high school volleyball to club volleyball?</strong></p> <p>High school volleyball is nothing shy of the best time of the year. The fans, my coach, my teammates/besties all make it a crazy, fun experience. It's a little less competitive than club volleyball, but club volleyball lacks the energy from the fans that makes high school that much more fun. Club volleyball is disciplined, very serious and really fast-paced. Where as high school is energetic, hard work and less stress. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What's your favorite piece of volleyball equipment?</strong></p> <p>My favorite piece of volleyball equipment are my jerseys. You put your jersey on and it's like you're a superhero putting on your suit.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Any game-day superstitions?</strong></p> <p>My game day superstitions are that my socks need to be the whitest ones I have and my sports bra has to be one of my favorite ones.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Go-to game day food?</strong></p> <p>My game day food is a Snickers bar. I’ll usually eat one like a half hour before we go out to warm up. Snickers are the best and candy gives me a good sugar rush to get me excited. Snickers are so good.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>What goals have you set for yourself or your team for your senior season at South Lyon?</strong></p> <p>A goal I have set for myself this senior season is to bring the excitement and inspire the girls on JV and the freshman teams. I want to leave a message to all younger girls that volleyball is the best sport in the whole world. I also want them to know that the sky is the limit and to be strong and that they can do anything they set their mind to. </p> <p>A goal for the team for this fall is to make it to states and to remain as close as we are now. The entire South Lyon varsity volleyball team has a chemistry together that is so strong and that's really what I thought made us so successful this past season. We are all besties that love to play together and that is something so special that I hope never goes away. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>What are your favorite hobbies outside of volleyball?</strong></p> <p>My favorite hobbies outside of volleyball are going up north to my cottage at Silver Lake Sand Dunes and going tubing, driving on the Dunes, swimming in Lake Michigan and Silver Lake, and hanging out with my friends up there. At home I enjoy going to Island lake and walking my dog, reading, watching movies and painting.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>What is your favorite social media platform and why?</strong></p> <p>My favorite social media platform is for sure Instagram because every other social media platform is really hectic and people fight a lot. Instagram is nice because nobody's as rude and I love seeing the beautiful pictures.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>What do you hope to do when your volleyball career is over?</strong></p> <p>After volleyball I want to become a wildlife biologist and work at a conservation helping wild animals. Life after volleyball will definitely involve moving someplace away from the city too.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://bit.ly/2JeQiFJ">RELATED: The Volleyball Interview: Desiree Becker (2019)</a></p>