Jolene Lee reads the game at a level that goes beyond most liberos her age. As she describes it, she watches the hitter’s hand to anticipate a tip or a line shot, then calls it out so her teammates know before the ball arrives, while also scanning the other side of the court to flag any open shots for her hitters. Lee is motivated by the fact that she’ll have to fight for her spot playing against and alongside older girls, and she’s embracing that challenge heading into her freshman season.

A coaching adjustment changed her passing significantly. She was told to relax and take the ball off her midline, so she started loosening her arms, letting them hang, and tracking the ball to pass it outside her body, which created more space to work with. Her goals include building strength and bringing good energy to the court, and she’s looking for an athletic college program that balances high-level volleyball with real academics. She shows up for teammates by bringing energy and celebrating every point, and she makes a point of checking in with anyone who’s feeling down or dealing with an injury. Lee wanted to be part of this showcase for the exposure and the chance to play alongside talented athletes from across the region.

~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247