Audrey Ellis #2
From a freshman on varsity to a senior captain, senior Audrey Ellis has put in the work to hit a huge achievement in her Hoover volleyball career. During the match against Jackson on Sept. 9, Ellis reached her 1000th kill for her Hoover career.
“This milestone means a lot to me because it really shows all the hard work I have put in over the past four years to achieve this goal,” she said.
Ellis has always worked to be the best that she can be, bettering her skills every single day. From her freshman to senior year, working hard and being better than the day before is always her top priority.
“I am motivated to keep pushing myself because I always want to be the best I can be on the court,” she said. “I always strive to learn new things, and be better than the year before.”
While Ellis always finds a way to keep herself motivated, one person is always her inspiration. The one who introduced her to the sport that she fell in love with.
“My biggest influence has been my mom because she played in college, and she was the one who initially started me in volleyball,” she said.
Ellis has worked very hard to reach her 1000th kill, the work and hours she put in have not gone unnoticed. For those who strive to reach their own goals no matter what the sport is, she leaves readers with this advice.
“I would advise younger players to stay consistent and take the extra reps when giving the possibility,” she said. “I also would say to stay humble and be able to accept help and criticism from coaches.”
Mallory Stutzman #8
Senior Mallory Stutzman has been training to hit this milestone from a freshman on the JV team to a senior on varsity. Stutzman has been working hard to hit her 500th career dig for her Hoover volleyball career.
“This milestone is very personal because it shows me that all the time I have spent lifting, practicing on my own and playing with my team has paid off,” she said.
From training in the off season, practicing on her own time, the time Stutzman has put in has not gone unnoticed on the court. This comes with being able to keep herself motivated during the season. Being a senior has pushed her further, working hard to leave her all on the courts one last time.
“The fact that this is my last volleyball season is what keeps motivating me to push myself to do better,” she said.
While Stutzman has ways to motivate herself, there is always someone to look up to. She shares who her biggest inspiration is.
“My biggest mentor is my mom,” she said. “She will always tell me the truth, and pushes me to become the best player I can be.”
Stutzman’s time on the court is coming to an end, and she wants to keep pushing to leave the best impression of her skills on the Hoover courts as she can. For those looking to be the best they can be when it comes to passing, she leaves this advice.
“My advice to young passers is to be confident,” she said. “Volleyball is a mental game and without confidence, you will never reach your full potential.”
Claire Jurica #11
From starting her high school volleyball career to being a captain, senior Claire Jurica has had her own personal success. Jurica recently hit her 1000th career assist for her Hoover volleyball career during the game against St. Ursula on Sept. 13.
“Hitting 1000 assists means so much to me because it is a reflection of how far I’ve come and all the work I’ve put in,” she said.
While Jurica has put in countless hours of work to be the best she can be, at the end of the day she is very appreciative for her whole team.
“I owe it to my teammates for always supporting and helping me achieve this goal,” she said.
Jurica expressed how much her teammates are always supportive, and truly were who kept her motivated when it came to reaching this achievement. However, there were many other factors that contributed to staying motivated during the season.
“My love for the game, my competitive nature and drive to always improve is what motivates me the most,” she said.
While keeping herself motivated, there are always the people that came before that can be owed for pushing Jurica to be the best that she can be.
“My biggest influences have been old teammates, their leadership has taught me how to also lead the team in a positive way and have made me a better player,” she said.
As Jurica’s time is coming to an end on the Hoover courts, she is leaving those who may come after her this advice for becoming the best setter they can be.
“My biggest advice to young players hoping to become great setters is to be really hard working and refuse to just be average,” she said. “It is much easier said than done, but I highly encourage hustling, being coachable and being
able to adjust.”
