October 24, 2023

We’re proud to be a part of an ongoing partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods, which is sponsoring our Player of the Week award. We’ll be releasing a featured vballrecruiter.com Player of the Week, sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, on Tuesdays. Below is this week’s Player of the Week: Sakura Codling. *** After falling in the regional semifinals the past two seasons, Sakura Codling and her Seton teammates are aiming for a deeper run in this year’s Ohio Division 1 state playoffs. The Saints — who last captured a state championship in 2005 — entered this week 21-2 and face Milford on Wednesday in hopes of making Saturday’s district finals before continuing on from there. Codling – a 3-star libero and UCLA commit from the Class of 2025 – has been part of varsity since her freshman season. She took over at libero last year and remains there as a junior this fall. She’s been a defender since her 11s season, when she switched from playing setter her 10s year. “I love being a libero,” she said. “It’s so much fun. I know hitters get all the glory but my club team when I make a big play they all rush and push each other around. The feeling of making a huge dig in a crazy big moment is such a good feeling.” To date, Codling has put up a team-leading 406 digs. She’s averaging 5.1 per set and recorded a season-high 32 digs in a September victory over defending Division 1 state champion Ursuline Academy. Seton opened the season winning its first 15 contests before dropping consecutive matches to Kings and Mercy McAuley — both in five. The Saints had swept Mercy McAuley in their first meeting and it’s possible they could see one or both again in the state playoffs. “My freshman and sophomore season we were so close to being really good, we just didn’t quite have all the pieces,” Codling said. “This year we are playing really well. We were on a roll for a while then we lost our first game to Kings. We were ready to bounce back in the next one but we ended up losing in five again. That really took a toll on us but it helped us build character. We are all focused on doing our jobs and holding each other accountable.” Seton coach Kelly Crowley is also the club director at Tri-State Elite, where Codling plays club. She’ll be a part of Tri-State Elite 17 Blue this coming spring. Codling gave a lot of credit to Crowley for helping her through her recruiting process and her eventually committing to UCLA. “I was out in California when I made my decision,” Codling said. “I had to quickly call Kelly to ask him about what I should do and if this should be my final choice and what about the other schools involved. He was right by my side and ready to answer any question. He helped lift so much stress and pressure of my shoulders. He was at AAUs and I was texting him at random times in the middle of the night. It was like 9pm in California and midnight in Florida when I sent him a text and he was ready to answer and walk me through my stuff.” With the high school season soon coming to its conclusion, it won’t be long before Codling is back at it for club. She said she’s hoping the team learned from a tough ending last season when it finished 21st in 16 Open at AAUs and will take a step forward in 2024. “Going into next season we have almost the same team,” she said. “We have a new setter who played on Drive Nation last year because she ended up moving into town. We are excited to have her. Going into the season it’s about staying focused on what our goals are and what type of team we are going to be.” Outside of volleyball, Codling said she’s really into crossfit and will spend three to four days a week doing it during the club season. She also loves to fish during family vacations, saying the family makes it a competition every year. “This past year we didn’t have a lot of luck,” Codling said. “We go down to this small part of Florida and there is a little dock. There are sheepshead and some red snappers and stuff. They aren’t huge. Maybe eight inches, so we catch and release them.” As our featured Player of the Week sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, we recently spoke with Codling about volleyball and more. Who is a role model or someone you look up to? Codling: For volleyball, it’s Morgan Hentz because she’s the one who shared that you don’t know if you don’t go. I remember that every time I play defense. I don’t know what balls I can touch or not or what passes I can make without making the move. Just going after every ball and watching her play in general because of her volleyball IQ is always something to remember. Also, I look up to my teammates for all the effort they put in every day that keeps me going. If they are putting in their all it makes me feel the need to put in my all too. Would you rather explore space or the ocean and why? Codling: I think exploring the ocean. There is so much we don’t know about it and exploring it would be fun. Also, to be able to go scuba diving seems so interesting and it’s something I want to do. If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be and why? Codling: I don’t know, I would want to go somewhere international like Italy or Greece and just have a fun day with my friends chilling and relaxing. Other than volleyball, what skill would you most like to learn and why? Codling: I think