Volleyball has once again proven it’s one of the strongest teams East has to offer, as three of its players have made it onto the “2023-2024 Student-Athletes players to watch list.”
The success comes with rewards, The North Carolina Volleyball Coaches Association (NCVBCA) recently released the Student-Athletes players to watch list for the 2023-2024 season. Among the 173 athletes recognized throughout North Carolina, seniors Allison Oberlin-Pope, Abigail Leo, and junior Fiona Mehltretter were named.
Although the team has had its losses, their amazing teamwork and sportsmanship has been noticed by many. Oberlin-Pope was delighted with the news of her name being recognized in the NCVBCA.
“I didn’t know it was a thing, but I’m happy to have been chosen.” Oberlin-Pope said. Oberlin-Pope has been a fan of volleyball since she was a teen, and she started playing volleyball in the seventh grade. Her role model is April Ross, the three-time olympic medalist for beach volleyball.
“Getting on this list is very beneficial, because it gives me recognition and looks great as I get recruited for college.”
Oberlin-Pope has gotten two full ride offers from Shippensburg and Millersville Universities, but she has turned them away due to her wanting to go to other colleges.
“It’s a definite confidence booster,” she said. “The hardest thing about volleyball, however, is the mental block. Your whole team is relying on you and you have to be in the game.” She wants to get to know her teammates better as individuals rather than as a team. She wants to be a better leader for her team and future teammates.
Junior Fiona Mehltretter is a libero for the team. “She is by far the best libero I have ever played with,” Oberlin-Pope said. She has been playing volleyball since seventh grade, and felt drawn to it ever since. Although she does not plan to continue playing as a career, she is proud of making the watchlist.
“It’s definitely a milestone for me. It shows how much work I put into volleyball. Hard work is the only thing that is gonna get you to where you want to be.” She feels like there is a lot that she can improve on, but is overall content with how far she has come.
Family and teamwork is what brings the East Meck volleyball team together. Since senior Abigail Leo was little, this has been her motivation for everything she does. Leo has been on the volleyball team since her freshman year of high school.
When Leo found out she made the watchlist for the 2023-2024 season she was in tears. She felt genuine pride in herself and was beyond overjoyed. “All that time I spent with my personal trainer, at practices and playing with my family felt worth it. It’s the fact that I’m here. I never thought I would improve this much, seeing college scouts looking at me.”
Her biggest inspiration for this sport is her dad. She feels as if she was waiting for this moment her entire life, and calling her dad and telling him felt genuinely unreal to her. “I called my family as soon as I found out.” She has also always looked up to Sophie Gerlach, and Mya Sellers, 2 of the top senior volleyball players for the 2022-2023 season. She wants to continue playing, but dreams of being a sports marketer.
Leo understands the struggles of being a student athlete, but she also knows the work is worth it. “Just keep going, keep working and just keep swimming. It’s gonna be hard, and you will doubt yourself, but it’s worth it. You get bonds that could last you a lifetime with your teammates.”
