Grade: Junior
Age: 16
Sports: Volleyball
Claim to fame/honors: GWOC first-team, defensive player of the year for Centerville; GWOC player of the year; GWOC all-star team; plays for Elevation Volleyball Club out of Mason; club won nationals last year
Bet you didn’t know … I have played volleyball since I was 8
Words you live by: Be the best at everything you do
Toughest opponent: Mt. Notre Dame, state champions
Biggest influence: My club and high school coaches
Match-day rituals: For my club team we stand in a huddle and say one goal each of us has then we squeeze in the center shoulder to shoulder and rub our hands together to get them warm, then we all clap at the same time. For school we do this ritual we call “closet” and we go around and say a goal then we have a little dancing session before our game; my own thing that I do is I always wear an elbow sleeve when I play.
What’s on your bedroom walls? Posters of when we’ve won tournaments; medals and awards
When I’m bored I like to … pass the volleyball
Favorite movie: The Interview
Person who would play you in a movie: Will Ferrell
Favorite TV show: Big Brother
Favorite musical artist: Sia
I can’t live without: My dogs, Bentley, Milo, Maya and Zoey
I can live without: Cold weather
Event you’d like to attend: A Cavs game, preferably the finals
Favorite book: Tuesdays with Morrie
Favorite home-cooked meal: Mashed potatoes and green beans
Favorite restaurant: Kabuki
Favorite smell: Fresh rain
Favorite cereal: Fruity Pebbles
Store where you’d like a shopping spree: Nike
Vegetable you won’t eat: I eat them all
I’d love to trade places for a day with … Kerri Walsh Jennings
Whose mind would you like to read? My dog, a Mastiff puppy
Place where you’d love to travel? Jamaica
Talent you’d like to have? Speak French
Favorite school subject: Science
Favorite athlete: LeBron James
Favorite team: Ohio State football
Favorite Olympic sport: Beach volleyball
Something in the world I’d like to change: Hate
Favorite sports moment: Winning nationals with my club team
Favorite junk food: Chocolate
Best thing about volleyball: Going through the wins and losses as a team
In 10 years, I hope to be … working as a criminal investigator
Nominate an Athlete of the Week: Send an email to freelance writer Dave Lamb at d_lamb@msn.com. Please include the athlete’s name, school, sport and a phone number or email address where we can reach that athlete. Please include Athlete of the Week in the subject line.
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