BP:I have been playing volleyball for a total of 7 years.

HS:What is one piece of advice you would give to young athletes?

BP:The best advice I can give younger athletes would be to play for something bigger than yourself. Always play with a purpose and with passion.

HS:Who is someone you look up to?

BP:Someone I look up to is Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley because her battle with cancer is so inspiring and she is the definition of perseverance.

HS: What are your goals for the upcoming season?

BP: For the upcoming season I really hope to help grow the volleyball program at Penns Valley and be an inspiration for the younger athletes at Penns Valley.

HS:What do you enjoy doing outside of sports?

BP:Outside of sports I enjoy the outdoors, cooking, and hanging out with friends.

HS:What are your plans after high school?

BP: After high school I plan on going to college to continue both my volleyball and academic  careers and pursue my dream of one day becoming a physical therapist.

HS: Is there a coach or teammate who has gone above and beyond and pushed you when you wanted to give up?

BP: Yes, Coach Baldwin, a former coach of Penns Valley Volleyball has been someone who I could always look to when I am struggling and has never not believed in me! Shout out Mr. B!

HS:What is one of your weaknesses as an athlete?

BP: One of my biggest weaknesses as an athlete is how hard I can be on myself sometimes.

HS: What is one of your strengths as an athlete

BP:One of my strengths as an athlete is being a natural leader.

HS:Do you ever feel overwhelmed balancing academics and sports?  What things do you do to balance the two?

BP:Yes, I often feel very overwhelmed with the balance between school and sports. The best way to balance the both is to make sure to use the time you are given in school to complete assignments and then when it’s time for practice and games I don’t have to worry about all the schoolwork.

HS:How do you prepare yourself for a game?

BP: There are a few things that I always do before games. 1. I always make sure to watch film and scout out the opponents. 2. I make sure to hype up my teammates and make sure that everyone is on the same page. 3. I always have my AirPods jamming out to my favorite game day music.

HS: What strategies do you use to stay motivated during tough times?

BP: The best strategies I use to stay motivated is remembering why I started playing and remembering that I love the sport of volleyball more than anything.