Heading into this week’s 8A-District 9 tournament, senior Sarah Herman and the Durant High School volleyball team were feeling optimistic. The three-sport athlete, currently first on the team in kill and hitting percentages and second in total kills, said she hopes to end her high school volleyball career on a high note before moving on to play the sport in college.
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How do you feel about the season you and the Cougars are having?
I think the season’s going really well. The girls have really improved on working together and being closer to one another, especially since this year we have a new coach (Nicole Higgins). In districts, I’m looking forward to being there and being able to go through our motions like we always do and, hopefully, beat Bloomingdale this year.
How did you all handle the transition to a new coach?
In the beginning it was kind of difficult. There was a lot of new things that we had to adjust to … we’re coming into something a lot bigger and I feel like it’ll be really successful.
As one of the few seniors on the team, how are you making sure your younger teammates are staying on the right track?
They think that I’m like a mom. I always check up on them, even outside of school. I always want to make sure my girls are positive and they stay open so when they feel down in some type of way, I want them to be open enough for them to talk to me.
What’s your proudest moment as a Cougar?
It’s definitely when I’m able to execute … especially during those really long rallies. I feel as if I have the support of my team behind me so I know I can continue to move forward with this high school career.
Any college plans?
I plan on going to college for volleyball. I don’t know where yet. I’m kind of inching toward Valdosta State, but yeah.
What do you plan on studying?
Journalism. I want to major in either communications or journalism.
What advice have you given to freshmen and other newcomers on the team?
Keep pushing forward because, my freshman year, I had no idea what volleyball was. Coach (Brittany) Wade really did teach me how to play volleyball. It was every day. I practiced every day, even when we didn’t have practice … you have to put the effort in. And if you put the effort in, results will be beautiful.
Without knowing anything about volleyball a few years ago, what brought you out here?
My mom, she told me I needed to do something because I wasn’t really into any school activities. I was a freshman. I didn’t really know anybody. She told me to come to one of the conditionings during the summer, going into my freshman year … I was such an oddball out. I didn’t know to wear kneepads, I didn’t know to wear spandex, I didn’t know what to do. So I came in with regular tennis shoes and long exercise pants and I was just like, “Alright, I’m ready to go.”