Help Haley Achieve Her Club Volleyball Goal

Hello, my name is Haley and I am a freshman at Ritenour High School. My love for volleyball started in 6th grade when I played on a CYC team. Earlier that year I played softball and my teammates became like family so we wanted to play another sport together when the season ended. We convinced my mom to step up and become a head coach of a volleyball team because my mom used to play volleyball and was great at it. She has always been an inspiration to me when it comes to volleyball. She would tell me stories about when she played, the fun she had, and the memories she made, which makes me want to be just like her. Having my mom as a coach was great. Not only was it great because she could help me practice outside of practice, but it was also great because she was always with me watching me improve and grow as a player. She was always at every game and she always knew what I needed to work on and how to help me. Sadly my 8th-grade year we couldn't play due to Covid. It sucked because it was the last year I was able to play with CYC and the last year my mom would be able to coach. Even though I went a year without playing, my love for volleyball was still strong. I couldn't wait to start high school volleyball.

It had been my dream to play for Ritenour High School, like my mom, since I first started volleyball. Over the summer I practiced as much as I could. My parents sent me to multiple volleyball camps to prepare for high school volleyball, they got out and played with me and made sure I had everything I needed to be ready because I really wanted to make the team. Once tryouts started I realized how much more competitive and difficult high school volleyball was, but I didn't mind at all. It made me want it that much more so when I heard the words "we would like to invite you to join our C-Team team" I was filled with joy!! My mom was so proud of me!! She promised to make it to every home game and she kept her promise. It was one of the best moments of my life. She also became a co-leader for our booster club, worked lots of concession stand hours, organized a dine-to-donate and basket fundraiser to help my team reach our goals, which meant a lot to me because the program was amazing!! It was definitely one of the best experiences I've had playing volleyball. Not only did I create such a strong bond with my team, but I also created such a strong bond with Junior Varsity and Varsity players as well. They were like family to me and I couldn't ask for better coaches. I felt so safe with my volleyball family and had so many great times with them. I am so sad that the season is over.

However, over my off-season, I want to keep improving and growing as a player. I want to come back next year and make my coaches proud. I feel like club ball would be the perfect opportunity for me to excel in volleyball and keep me in shape to play next year. It would also really help me improve in some skills that I am lacking and help me grow in others, but it is expensive so I don't know for sure yet if I can do it. My new dream is to start playing club volleyball and at least make the Junior Varsity team at Ritenour High School (if not Varsity) next year and I believe I can accomplish it with your help!! I know my Mom and Dad will do everything they can to help me too, but I have three younger siblings who are all getting into sports as well and they try to provide us all with the same opportunities so I know the financial part will be difficult for them and would rather ask for help like this than trying to sell you a bunch of pizza and popcorn... this way you know your support is going directly to my goals :-) Thank you for reading this and helping if you can!!