Ivanna Pittman
Contributing Writer
ESU’s Women’s Volleyball Team goal this year is make it to playoffs and win the PSACS Conference.
As their record continues to improve (14-2), these ladies aren’t giving up anytime soon.
Coming from Middletown NY, a Junior whose position is an outside hitter, Sarah Smith, loves how the energy of playing volleyball gets her going throughout life.
The way her adrenaline pumps as she plays is one of the many things she loves about volleyball.
“I think I knew it was my passion when I would hear from parents saying how their daughter looks up to me.” said Smith. “That really inspired me to keep going. Volleyball is a combination of passion and a way of life. I don’t know where I would be without it.”
Smith’s motivation as she plays is the iconic tennis player, Serena Williams. She loves Serena Williams’ sense of energy and her accomplishments.
Smith believes that there are always room for improvement and that’s constantly on her mind.
She even mentions one of the hardest things she ever had to overcome was the mental challenge when she was injured and was not able to do anything physical.
“The lows and highs of playing volleyball is losing even when you’ve tried your hardest and the highs are coming out victorious after working hard, especially when you are looked at as the underdog,” said Smith.
Smith believes her team’s dynamic is amazing. They constantly spend time together on and off the courts creating a sense of family which is essential art of being successful on the court.
Smith emphasizes how being a collegiate athlete is no walk in the park. At one point in her life, she found it to be very challenging.
“It really is about balance and being proactive when it comes to getting stuff done.”
Whenever Sarah is feeling overwhelmed after balancing school, volleyball, campus job, she turns to prayer for help and her family for a word of advice to help her get through this journey of life.
There’s nothing that is stopping these women from reaching their goal. They are ready to put in the hard work and so far we can see the results. These ladies will face Pitt-Johnstown on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. and Shippensburg the next day Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. here on their home courts.
Email Ivanna at:
ipittman@live.esu.edu
