Rising Greenwood sophomore Shyanne DeBoard details her experience becoming a volleyball manager and the impact it has had on her

by Victoria Quan, Carmel High School

In her freshman year, rising Greenwood sophomore Shyanne DeBoard was interested in volleyball. To her, it seemed like a repetitive sport with no crazy rules; but there was still enough variety through the different positions offered to make it interesting. 

According to DeBoard, volleyball players have roles as hitters (who jump and send the ball over the net), passers (who pass the ball to teammates), and liberos (who dive for the ball). She was specifically interested in being a passer or libero. However, although she was interested in positions in the sport, she took on a different position: being a manager.

This originally happened because DeBoard did not make the team as a player, but the coach invited her to be a manager. It may have felt disappointing at first, but she does not regret it. In fact, when asked if she wanted to try out for the team again, she was uninterested in being a player; so why might she turn the idea down now? 

Originally, she said, “I see how they pick favorites on the team.”

But being on the volleyball team as a manager also changed a lot more for her. As a manager, DeBoard has to show up to every volleyball game. Doing this, she noted, required a lot of scheduling because she also takes part in theater as a costume manager. Both of these in conjunction have taught her skills in multitasking and balancing workload while still doing things she enjoys.

She also said, “I was a quiet person, but being around them [the team] so much… it made me want to spend more time with them.”

Volleyball has helped her to, in her words, “get out more.” Starting out as a quiet person, DeBoard started to become more outgoing because of her role as a manager. She has been able to meet new people and make new friends through the activity.

All in all, the job comes with a few downsides: a few mean girls here and there, lugging around heavy first aid kits, and getting second-hand embarrassment when balls hit kids. But compared to the impact that being a volleyball manager has had on her, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Searching for a yearbook theme, rising Greenwood sophomore Shyanne DeBoard looks over at HSJI yearbook instructor Claire Burke to learn more about the current topic. DeBoard recently joined the yearbook staff at Greenwood High School alongside fellow HSJI member Briar Simpson. “My mom did it [yearbook] in high school and told me that it was really fun, and I should do it; so I did it,” DeBoard said.