Caught in the Glow 3-9-18

Hi! Welcome to Caught in the Glow! This is Katelyn, and I will be writing the fifth article of this school year. This is where Brianna Harpel and I interview students on NSA who’ve recently traveled to a fun place or event, partaken in an exciting competition, or accomplished something amazing. We hope you enjoy hearing the stories of people on NSA and all the awesome things they get to do while being enrolled in here!

I yelled as loud as my voice would allow, right along with the crowd. I laughed as my friend shoved me for screaming in her ear. I clapped as our team scored another point, now in the lead. I cheered for the players, hoping that they would stay in the lead. These are all things I do while watching sports, as I have not been the person to play the sport. But one girl loves sports, and is currently playing an awesome sport. She's a 9th grader here on NSA and a friend of mine. Here is our one and only... Natalee Crane.

Katelyn Schesser: Hey Natalee! Ready for the interview?

Natalee Crane: Totally! I'm ready. :)

Katelyn Schesser: First, what type of volleyball to you play?

Natalee Crane: I play traditional volleyball.

Katelyn Schesser: Ok, cool. What is your team's name? Is it an all girl team?

Natalee Crane: The team I play on is called ICE. Yes, it's an all girl team.

Katelyn Schesser: Nice! What position do you usually play?

Natalee Crane: My main position is an outside hitter.

Katelyn Schesser: Got it, got it, cool. So, how long have you been playing volleyball?

Natalee Crane: I've been playing volleyball for a little over a year. So, not a very long time.

Katelyn Schesser: Not too long, but it sounds like you like it a lot. What got you into volleyball, in the first place?

Natalee Crane: At my old school, at recess my friends would always play volleyball and pass to each other. I decided to join them and I realized that it was a lot of fun. They suggested that I try out for the school team. So, that's exactly what I did. I made the team and the coach said that I had a killer serve. Ever since then, my love and passion for the game have grown stronger. I still get told by my new coaches that I have a killer serve.

Katelyn Schesser: Woah, that's pretty awesome. What places/locations have you played at?

Natalee Crane: We have played at Sky High in Crystal Lake, Palos Courts in Palos, and we just got back from a tournament in St. Louis, Missouri.

Katelyn Schesser: Cool! Sounds like competing includes a lot of traveling xD. Do you compete internationally? If so, where at? If not, would you like to or are you planning to?

Natalee Crane: We don't compete internationally. I think it would be a really fun experience if I ever got the chance to do it though!

Katelyn Schesser: It would totally be cool! Have you won any awards before? Has your team won any competitions and/or awards?

Natalee Crane: I haven't won any awards before and neither has my team. Were not even halfway through the season though. We still have a chance I believe.

Katelyn Schesser: Ok I got it, well I'm sure your team could win some. Do you plan to do professional volleyball when you grow up? If not, what do you plan to do?

Natalee Crane: I would like to do professional volleyball when I grow up, but I also have so many other things I would like to do when I grow up. It's hard to say which one I'll end up with.

Katelyn Schesser: Yeah, decisions like those are hard, as they predict the rest of our life sometimes. So, how does volleyball affect your daily life or schedule?

Natalee Crane: I have practice usually Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. So, it's definitely hard to get up in the morning because I always get home so late. There are also some days where something important falls on the same day as volleyball practice. For example: My birthday is next Monday, and sadly, I have to go to practice and enjoy it the next day. I mostly just get really tired from long nights though.

Katelyn Schesser: Wow, ok. Not super horrible, but sounds like a busy time and looks like it takes a lot of dedication. Thank you so much for doing this Natalee! I had a great time and I hope you did too,

-Katelyn Schesser