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: Olivia Henry.
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There’s been a common thread with our recent Players of the Week and the trend continues this week with Olivia Henry. Like our past three Players of the Week, Henry is also a ninth-grader who had an amazing season and helped her high school team to a state championship. And just like Lydia Chinchar, Peyton Heatherly and Gentry Barker, it elevated Henry to a Freshman Player of the Year Finalist after she guided Fieldston – which is coached by her father, Collin – to the NYSAIS state title and a perfect 22-0 season.
Henry – a 6-4, 5-star recruit – began making a name for herself this past club season playing for ASEVC. With both her dad and mom having volleyball backgrounds, Henry was raised in the sport and has been around her dad’s high school team her whole life.
“My dad would always take me to the park and I would pepper against the wall,” Henry said. “I learned to do a top spin serve around 7 and serving like that really got me interested in volleyball. My dad was always teaching me how to do it.
“He would usually bring me to all his games during the high school season. I remember sitting on the bench and analyzing and talking about what the girls were doing so I could catch on quicker. I learned the sport a lot faster growing up and watching volleyball on TV or in real life.”
There was a whirlwind of anticipation and eagerness as her freshman season neared. She no longer had to sit on the sidelines as a spectator but instead could be an actual participant. Henry knew all the girls on the team well before she applied to get in to Fieldston and play under her dad.
With Henry officially on the roster, her dad made it clear what the goal was this fall. That was getting back to the top of the mountain and regaining the state championship which Fieldston last captured in 2015.
“In the preseason my dad was not messing around,” Henry said. “He said we are winning the championship and bringing another banner to hang on the wall. That’s exactly what we did. It was tears of joy. This one was special because we got to win it together.”
As our featured Player of the Week sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, we recently spoke with Henry about volleyball and more.
Who is a role model or someone you look up to?
Henry: My role model is I’m going to say my dad. He has been in this sport all his life. He’s in the process of teaching me what he knows. He teaches me how to work hard and how to be a good teammate. I talk to him every day. He’s wise and an inspiring person.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would you do and why?
Henry: I would bake. I have such a sweet tooth. I love baking cookies, especially with my mom. I would probably do that and learn some new recipes. I like brownies. They are really good. My mom made them all the time when I was a kid. I know they are not good to eat being an athlete but I love brownies.
Other than volleyball, what skill would you most like to learn and why?
Henry: I would learn how to play tennis because it’s really similar to volleyball. I’ve watched a few tennis games before during the US Open because it’s near my house. It’s a really interesting sport so I would want to learn how to play.
Aside from basic necessities, what is one thing you could not go a day without?
Henry: I cannot go a day without music. It gets me through my day. I listen walking between classes at school or while I’m doing homework or before games because it gets me hyped for whatever I’m about to do.
What is one thing that instantly makes your day better or makes you smile?
Henry: It’s definitely knowing that I’m going to practice that day. Walking into the gym and seeing my teammates before practice and talking about our days. It’s not just volleyball related. It’s a whole other relationship with your teammates and having that strong connection on and off the court.
What’s one of your favorite ways to have fun?
Henry: I think probably going out with my friends shopping and going to the mall. I like to spend quality time and having fun. Shopping is one of the best things anybody can ever do. Who doesn’t like to go shopping?
Outside of volleyball what are you most passionate about and why?
Henry: I’m most passionate about my academics. I really want to do well in school. Being a student-athlete and not just an athlete. I want to be a student and keep up with my grades. I want to get things done on time and then have extra time to do whatever, but school always comes first before volleyball.
What is one thing that may surprise people about you?
Henry: A lot of people tell me when they first meet me that I’m actually really funny and have a good sense of humor. It’s surprising because when people first see me they think I’m intimidating because of my height, but when they get to know me it’s a whole different side of myself.
If you could live anywhere you wanted, where would it be and why?
Henry: I would definitely live in Jamaica. My dad is Jamaican and everything there overall is better than New York, like warmer weather and the food is definitely better. The water is really clear. I’ve only been there one time a couple of years ago but I still remember every single moment, so I would definitely live there.
If you could have any super power what would it be and why?
Henry: I think probably teleportation because I would just like to be able to get anywhere and I wouldn’t need a car or wouldn’t miss out because I could just teleport. Like if I was late for school I could just teleport into my classroom.
What’s your favorite number and why?
Henry: My favorite number is definitely number 6 because I’ve been wearing number 6 basically my whole club career. I was lucky enough to get it this year for high school. My dad’s number was 6 when he played on the Jamaican National Team. My mom was number 6 when she played in college. They were both like you have to be the number 6 and I’ve been number 6 since I was on my 12s team.
