Photo submitted by Simona Kraft
JV and varsity OHS volleyball player Simona Kraft (10) sets the ball to get the point for her team. “When I get a good set to the hitter, it makes me happy,” Kraft said, “and also knowing that I was able to help my team out.” Kraft enjoyed being able to be a part of helping her team out.
Simona Kraft (10) played for JV and varsity this past volleyball season at OHS.
“I enjoy the idea of being around the sport and just playing the sport,” Kraft said.
Kraft started playing volleyball because she thought it would be fun to take after her mom, who played in high school, and to keep volleyball in her family.
“I’ve been playing volleyball since third,” Kraft said.
Like many sports, you have to work hard and put your time into volleyball, but managing both volleyball and school can be stressful at times. Kraft has found a way to balance both, however.
“I wouldn’t say it’s that much harder, like when we’re sitting in the library before our games, I just do my homework and it just works out,” Kraft said.
For some, playing on two different level teams can seem like a lot of work. Even though varsity can be more stressful, there’s some things that make it less stressful.
“Varsity was more nerve-wracking, you know, ’cause I was scared to mess up and get pulled out, but the girls made it more fun…” Kraft said.
Kraft said that JV can be more fun, though, because she knows more of the players, which is why she enjoyed JV more than varsity. But there were other reasons why she liked JV better.
“I liked JV more because I like playing more…and I was used to it, ’cause I played for JV last year,” Kraft said.
As she continues her involvement in volleyball, she’s set herself some helpful goals.
“My goal is to get better at volleyball,” Kraft said, “and make new friends.”