For senior setter Izabelle Naragon, volleyball has always been more than just a game. She first picked it up when a close friend asked her to join, and what keeps her coming back year after year are the friendships and memories she has made along the way.

Some of Izzy’s favorite moments aren’t just the big wins, but the laughs with her teammates. She enjoys “standing at the net with Chrislyn and Adelynn, cracking jokes and messing with each other.” 

On the court, Izzy plays setter which in football terms is the “quarterback” of the team. She loves the position because she gets to play all the way around and stay involved in every play. One game that stood out most to her this season was a tournament match against Dickson. “It was the best we’ve ever played,” she said. “It was thrilling.”

Off the court, things aren’t always easy. With several college-level courses on top of her high school classes, Izzy admits balancing schoolwork and volleyball can be tough. Still, she works hard to stay on top of everything and give her best in both areas. She’s especially proud of how much her passing on the court has improved this season.

Before every game, the team has a tradition that keeps them going. The girls huddle up while libero Kaelyn Osborne leads them in prayer for safety and a good match. It’s not about superstition for Izzy but about starting the game together as one.

As she looks back on her own volleyball journey, Izzy has a message for younger players: “To never give up. I’ve always been down on myself and volleyball made me realize it is horrible and unrealistic to do that to myself.”

This post is sponsored by: