The Lakeview Bulldog’s three volleyball captains: Reagan Price, Molly Stuart, and Mallory Mailach traveled to Columbus last weekend for an OVR tournament. These current Juniors represent Lakeview on their club teams. Stuart and Price play together at Infinity, while Mailach plays at Nova. Infinity is located in Salem, and Nova is run out of Akron. On top of high school pre-season these girls practice about three times a week.
Travel volleyball is a large commitment because players have to put forth a lot of time and energy. Tournaments are very important because they contribute to teams overalls rankings towards the end of the season and give teams opportunity for bids! This is an opportunity to compete at Nationals. Typically, at the national level tournaments are around three to four days long. Price, Stuart, and Mailach have traveled as far as Kentucky, Florida, Indianapolis, Chicago, and recently Stuart and Price’s team earned a bid to Las Vegas! They are the second team in their club to achieve this goal in the USA division.
Stuart expressed, “I am really looking forward to our trip to Las Vegas, because I have never been there before and I am excited to play some really impressive teams while making memories with my friends.” This is only one of the many perks that come with playing club volleyball.
At Lakeview Stuart is a six rotation outside hitter, but excels as a DS at Infinity. On the other hand, Price remains a middle hitter and Mailach also plays her normal position setting up her team for success. At club, all three of these girls train in other positions as well to make sure they are versatile on the court. So for example, although middle is Prices primary position she may hit on the right side for a few rotations. The goal of club season is to improve players as a whole and also improve them as people and teammates.
The unique thing about club is that teammates are from all over. Although Stuart and Price are from Lakeview their teammates go to schools such as Mineral Ridge, West Branch, Austintown Fitch, Massillon Jackson, Crestview, Jackson Milton, Howland, and Champion. The same wide range of schools exists at Nova as well. It is a great opportunity to be able to make new friends, travel to new places, and compete at a high level.
Mailach mentioned, “Personally, my favorite part about club season is playing competitive games at practice, with my new teammates and coaches.”
Following this, lets get into how the tournament environments are composed of a wide range of ages and emotions. Nowadays, kids can start playing club volleyball around the age of twelve. As time goes on, the game gets more intense. People jump higher, move faster, and hit harder. Currently, the Bulldogs are competing in the 17u division. College coaches move from court to court and scout out players, and use these tournaments as a way to recruit future college athletes.
For the Bulldogs, there are intentions of playing at the next level. Recently, Price committed to the University of Findlay. In addition to this, Mailach is narrowing down her search for the perfect school. For Price, Stuart, and Mailach club season will be wrapping up within the next two months. As a result, their next season together will be their senior season at Lakeview High School.
The idea of this is bittersweet, because although they are excited for senior year they are sad their four years have gone by so fast. Along with their fellow seniors Kennedy Bartlett, Addison Allen, Hallie Capan, Ava Bacon, and Mara Schmader, they intend to leave a legacy behind for the future volleyball teams at Lakeview High School.
