Friday, Jul. 18, 2008

Playing in the Sand

NHS Volleyball Player Qualifies to Compete at National Level in Beach Game

By John English

Contributing Writer

When in comes to volleyball, Hayden Berryhill does not care what surface she is on or how many teammates she has — she just loves to play.

The Haslet teen helped lead the Northwest volleyball team to a playoff berth in 2007 at defensive specialist and setter, and this summer she qualified as part of a two-person sand volleyball team to compete in a national outdoor volleyball competition in California.

Berryhill said winning the regional qualifier to advance to the national contest is something very special to her.

"It means a lot," Berryhill said. "We had played a couple of really tough games that day, and we didn’t really do that well against a team that we had already beaten ... it was really hot, and a big accomplishment, to fight for those last couple of points to win."

Berryhill competes with the 692 Sand Volleyball Club and said her objective for the national competition is to represent her club well.

"I think it would be a good goal to set, is [just] to play well," Berryhill said. "Being regional champions is a great thing for us, but just to perform well at nationals would make me happy."

Berryhill said the differences between sand volleyball and court volleyball are many.

"It is a totally different type of play," Berryhill said. "The technique is different, the way you move is different; playing sand volleyball totally transforms your body, your ability, your quickness and your agility ... just walking on the sand court makes you tired, but playing four games, back to back to back, will pretty much wear you down."

Berryhill said she believes playing beach volleyball this summer has enhanced her court game.

"There is a lot of running in sand volleyball," Berryhill said. "I think beach helps more for court volleyball than court helps for beach volleyball."

Berryhill said she enjoys and appreciates the value in both sports, and said she believes this year’s Northwest team is going to be strong.

"I am really, really excited about it," Berryhill said of the upcoming school season. "We are supposed to come out with a lot of great athletes and a lot of talent this year. We had good talent last year, but I think this year, with the returners and incoming players, it will really help Northwest volleyball turn a corner."