Emily Tran is 14 years old, playing Saugus varsity volleyball as a freshman. Tran is the starting libero with a 4.0 gpa. She takes AP bio, honors geometry, honors body systems and disorders. She went to James Foster elementary and Arroyo Seco Junior high. She has started off the season with a bang. I have watched every one of her games and she tends to go on many serving runs with countless aces. Tran is a very accurate passer, you can always count on her to serve and receive with her excellent technique. If you think the ball is dying, about to hit the floor she is always there ready to do anything she can to get the ball up. I personally played club with her last season and I can confirm how much she has improved. I interviewed Tran and asked her the following questions:
- How old were you when you started volleyball?
“I was first interested in volleyball when I was 10 but started to play club when I was 11.”
- What did you do growing up hobbies?
“When I grew up I liked to play the piano, draw, and do gymnastics for fun.”
- How did your childhood affect how you are now?
“During my childhood I was always an active kid who was ready to do anything. I loved to bike, run, and tumble at the park. I had some sort of natural athleticism and I think it carries onto today”.
- How did you work up to being a freshman on varsity?
“It took a lot of training and practice with different coaches. I also needed to learn how to compete against higher leveled athletes and how to up my mentality.”
- How do you deal with the pressure being a freshman starting on varsity?
“I really needed to change my mindset and learn from the upperclassmen instead of taking it as criticism. I had to build my confidence so I don’t crack under pressure since I was nervous to play high school volleyball.”
- How does school ball compare to your club team?
‘“I’m not really sure which one I like more. high school ball, I can compete with better athletes but in club I have more fun and make more friends”.
7. How do you balance school and volleyball?
“Although it’s hard to balance school and volleyball, I try my hardest to manage it by completing assignments before they are due, so if my day gets super busy, I still have an extra one because of block schedule.”
- How are the dynamics with you and your teammates (specifically the seniors?)
“I literally love all my teammates, especially the seniors a ton. They drive me everywhere, care about me so much, and are the nicest people ever. I truly feel so lucky to have such kind and amazing teammates who are such genuine people.”
- How do the varsity players influence you’
“They make me strive to be a better person and athlete. they all inspire me and push me to do my best.”
As you can see Tran is a very inspired athlete who works hard and prioritizes school and volleyball. With her amazing grades and almost all honors and advanced classes she has a very good record.
