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10/31/2024 12:00 AMAfter playing basketball since elementary school and tennis since she was in 5th grade, Regan Grow decided to make it a triple crown on athletic courts as a freshman via volleyball. While only in the midst of her fourth and final season with the game, she has spiked her way to a pivotal personal threshold.
Last fall, she was part of a very formidable group on the volleyball court that made the Shoreline Conference finals and state semifinals while collecting 18 total victories. Personally, for 2023, the middle blocker, she nabbed First Team All-Shoreline honors after posting numbers of a league-best 261 kills to go along with 73 blocks and 30 aces. Most recently, the senior and captain reached a major career milestone when she nabbed her 500th career kill for the Warriors, who finished a super regular season with an 18-2 mark. For her efforts, she was named not only First Team All-Shoreline but also the conference’s Player of the Year.
“I have been fascinated by how good a player someone can be with volleyball. I love watching game films and college volleyball. It is so fun to be on a team and perfect your craft,” says Regan. “I would not be anything without my teammates and my setter Kellyn Kolber. There is nothing more motivating than being on a team and connecting together. Our coaches have been so great and helpful, too. The 500 career kills was unexpected; I had no idea I was close. It hit home with me, because I realized I am a senior and do not have much time left. It has made me see and appreciate the growth I have had since freshman year and how important my team is to me.”
In the blocking position, Regan goes into a state of euphoria when she makes precise and powerful contact with the ball. While addicted to the roar of the crowd, she is also dependent upon never taking a point off to be there for her fellow Warriors.
“I love hitting the volleyball. There is no better feeling than getting that hit and hearing the gym go crazy,” Regan says. “Yet on defense, I feel the pressure to always get a good block. It can also be tough for me rotating out with the libero only because I want to be out there every second for my team. Yet I cannot see myself at any other position.”
Jaimie Bickelhaupt praises Regan for her uncanny knack to always do what is best for her team while being a steady hand and voice on the floor. The Valley head coach explains that she is a selfless athlete committed to the club and its collective goal of winning championships.
“Regan has been a staple in the volleyball program, specifically in the last two seasons. Her coachability and selflessness attributes to a lot of her success. She always prioritizes the team’s success over her own, she listens to feedback, and she learns from mistakes and applies new techniques and skills,” says Bickelhaupt. “She’s consistent with her high performance and stays as a reliable constant on the court for us as a leader and player. Hitting 500 kills is a special milestone, and I’m happy for her that she not only got it but crushed it, as we still have a handful of games left.”
No matter the circumstances or score of a set, Regan attacks each challenge with the mentality that it all comes down to taking full stock of elements within her grasp. When the inevitable miscues come along, she must have her mind move past them as swiftly as the action on the floor.
“I know I have to go into every game thinking it is ours and that if myself and our team do our jobs, then we will do alright,” says Regan. “Whenever I make mistakes, I block them out and move past them quickly. I have to go into each game thinking it is a fresh slate, and I also have to always be positive.”
There is a steady presence of underclassmen on the squad this campaign, but as a leader, Regan knows how to access each individual’s next level of energy. Still, she knows she must be consistent with her heart and hustle for her colleagues.
“We are a junior-heavy team this year, so it could be a little difficult to gain control of the team,” Regan says. “Sometimes you just have to hype each other up out there. Even when you are not having your best day as a captain, you have to have your best energy every day. There is no better feeling than helping to lead your team.”
In capping off her volleyball career, Regan wants to nab the biggest solo accolade. For the squad, they finished only three victories shy of attaining the ultimate tandem of team treasures, and so they are locked in to not let it go by the wayside this time.
“For myself, I want to make the All-State Team, as I know that is a difficult honor to get,” says Regan. “For us as a team, we want to win Shorelines and states. We can do it, but we just need to work on our mental game and play to our full potential. If we do those things, we can definitely win both.”