Volleyball has been around for over a hundred years and has been a sport that many people enjoy playing, especially freshmen Cassie Bailiff. From the constant passing the ball over the net, spiking it down to the the floor, jumping to block the ball, and diving to save the ball from touching the ground; volleyball is a very fast paced sport that never gets boring. Cassie Bailiff explains how she fell in love with the sport,
“My mom played volleyball in high school, so I kind of liked that she did that. So I decided to try it out.”
Teenagaers are more likey to play a sport that their parents like or played themselves in high school.
Cassie continues to inspire everyone around her and demonstrates to her peers that anyone can learn something new as long as they put their mind to it.
“I was really bad at first [playing volleyball]. I didn’t make the team in 6th grade but once 7th grade came around I got more into the sport and practiced more. By 8th grade, I made a club team in Sullivan called ‘North Coast’. That was my first official volleyball team and now I play Junior Varsity for Mission Vista as a freshman.” explained Bailiff.
Volleyball may seem easy while one is watching in the stands, however there's a lot of skill that is put into this sport.
“Everything flows together. You need a good pass, to get a good set, to get a good hit and you need a good serve to start off with so that cycle can flow smoothly,” explained Cassie. While one is passing correctly, and setting during a game players have to get down and get dirty and dive to save the ball to get the point. Which brings the question to which is better indoor volleyball in a gym or beach volleyball?
“Beach volleyball in my opinion is better because the sand is easier to dive on. I will dive on sand, I’ve dived on it a lot,” said Cassie. “We practice exactly the same as we would do indoors, however the sand does make you move slower so the drills drag on a bit longer. However, by practicing at the beach it allows you to move more smoothly on land and faster. All in all indoor volleyball is my thing.”
Bailiff’s love for the game and story of becoming an amateur player to starting JV player in high school illustrates to her peers around her that one can always find a new hobby and master in it.
Sarai Alvizo