For our Student Athlete Spotlight this week we are featuring a dedicated and passionate volleyball champ, Riley Hobbs. Riley is a 17 year old senior at Imagine Prep Surprise who has been playing volleyball for the past 10 years. When Riley isn’t playing volleyball she loves to spend time with friends and family! She loves hiking and going on adventures while creating good memories.
As a senior, Riley has just finished playing her last season as a High School volleyball player. When interviewed, she said, “Our season went great! We started out strong and confident. Although we had a very young team, the effort that was given in practice was shown when we stepped out on court. We were able to make it to the playoff coming in being the 4th seed and left finishing 3rd in state for the second year in a row. We were also division 2 regional champs. I couldn’t be more proud of how our team performed this season”.
How Covid impacted her season
Covid changed and impacted my season by taking away our fans. It was hard for me to not have fans for my senior season because that’s one of my favorite parts. Having the support of my fellow students and teachers at each game cheering us on is something I missed greatly. It gave us energy and a community. Although we didn’t have fans, it pushed our team to grow closer and be able to really show our true colors.
Looking back on her experience
Being a part of the CAA has made an impact on Riley by giving her the opportunities to create friendships that will last forever. It also taught her how to compete at another level, and overall it has given her a family for life.
When asked about what she learned from her coaches this year, Riley said, “I learned to never take these moments and opportunities for granted, to always have fun and give everything I have”.
A piece of advice for her girls
It has taken me awhile to process the fact that my time here playing on this team has come to an end. I truly have no words to describe how much these girls and this program means to me and how much of an impact it has had on my life. I will never forget the memories and the lessons that I have learned here, but what I will hold the closest to my heart is the relationships and connections that I’ve made throughout the years. Volleyball isn’t just a sport to me. It’s family, it’s fellowship, it’s having a group of girls that have your back no matter what and I am forever thankful that I had the opportunity to be a part of this team.
A piece of advice from Riley – “Give everything you have, be intentional, enjoy every moment that you get, encourage your teammates, and always be positive!”
To my girls, I love you with all my heart, GO STORM!
Plans for the Future
Riley doesn’t have plans set in stone yet but her dream is to pursue a career in physical therapy. We wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavours. You will forever be a part of the CAA family!