Volleyball has been so successful this season, they put in work on and off the court and never stop. Junior, Lily Prince plays on Shadow Ridge’s Volleyball Team as an outside hitter. Lily Prince has been playing volleyball for about 6 years and made JV as a freshman and varsity as a sophomore and junior. Lily Prince is having a very successful season and everyone can’t wait to watch her bang balls.

Prince says, “My brother, Trevor Prince, inspires me most. He played volleyball at Shadow and has shown me how rewarding your hard work and consistency can pay off.”

When she goes through hard times she always has her brother by her side.

Prince says, “Most of my achievements in volleyball are from the extra hours and work I have put in outside of practice. Reaching my goals in the gym and becoming stronger physically and mentally feels like the most rewarding accomplishment in my eyes.”

Prince is a really good volleyball player, all of the hard work she has put in has only made her better. Volleyball is full of a lot of different opportunities that all of these girls are able to experience.

Prince says, “Of course, I love volleyball but I really love the relationships I have built throughout the years of playing. Making lifelong relationships with coaches and teammates has brought me success. Building relationships off the court has helped my team’s chemistry to better understand each other. Learning how to help each other when someone is down after a mistake and what helps certain players become stronger.”

There’s so many things she loves in her sport but her being so close to her coaches and teammates makes her the best she can be with that support and relationships.

Prince says, “Talk to yourself how you would talk to your best friend. It sounds so simple but is truly so important. Playing volleyball is such a mental battle; having a positive and patient mindset will help you accomplish anything.”

Having a positive attitude on the court, and leaving everything off of it is the biggest thing she can have to be successful in her sport.

Prince says, “Being a student athlete has taught me that it doesn’t matter if you’re tired, it doesn’t matter if you feel sick, it doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like it today, you have to show up for yourself. Prioritizing your academics and sport means giving up a lot of your social life. Being a student athlete has taught me to keep my priorities in line and focus on what is really important.”