As volleyball becomes more competitive each year, the Highlands volleyball program continues to rise. After an outstanding 2024 season, the team looks to improve and continue elevating its gameplay skills for the upcoming season. This team is filled with exceptional volleyball players, and they are looking at certain key volleyball players to make a huge impact on next year’s 2025 season.
According to Head Coach Jim Delong, next year’s 2025 Highlands High School volleyball stars are Ava Muzumdar (11), Ava Ireland (10), and Liz Perkins (11).
Most volleyball players start somewhere, whether it is playing club volleyball or starting young in an elementary school league.
“I first started playing volleyball in the third grade, so I was around 9-10 years old and I play club volleyball at Northern Kentucky Junior Volleyball (NKJV),” Perkins said.
Even though some may think most of these players spend most of their time on the court, for Muzumdar, there are a lot of other activities happening while she is playing volleyball.
“Outside of Highlands volleyball, I play club for NKJV, but I also play tennis in the spring for Highlands,” Muzundar said, “I am in Family, Career and Community Leaders of American (FCCLA) and Student Leadership Club and I am a co-founder of the pickleball club. I am also in the National Honor Society (NHS),” Muzumdar said.
A reason these players stand out is because of the coaches who helped them along the way. Not just physical help, but also mental help.
“Although I have had a few coaches who challenged me and forced me to make a positive for myself, I have had two coaches who have helped me improve. My club coach, Anna Finker, who I had both my 14s and 16s years with, was a huge reason I have the confidence and skills to play at the level I do. She saw my potential and always pushed me to get better. I also had a good connection with her as a person and trusted her judgment on and off the court,” Muzumdar said.
“Another coach who has helped me improve is Jim Delong, he has helped me become a more rounded player and increased my volleyball IQ.”
There are many important and key parts of the game of volleyball according to Ireland.
“Communication and talking to your teammates and for me especially communication with the steers since they are the ones who make the hitting plays happen,” Ireland said. “Don’t let getting into your head and having bad games affect your mental game,” Ireland said.
In the game of volleyball, there are a lot of setbacks and challenges that athletes have to go through to keep thriving.
“One of the hardest challenges I faced was having my talent discredited and my potential overlooked by one of my coaches. I had to work the whole season to prove that I could be an essential part of my team as a setter,” Muzumdar said.
As the next 2025 season comes up, the girls are hoping to improve on many things during their club season.
“I hope that this club season, I can focus on regaining motivation and passion for the game,” Perkins said.
A lot of these girls have ups and downs of volleyball but the Highlands volleyball program is a reason why they have gotten where they are today.
“My favorite part is bonding with the girls on the team. Celebrating each other’s success, forming a family, and making unexpected friendships is something I will always cherish,” Perkins said.
The lessons they have learned are valuable and should be shared with younger players in the program.
“If I could give any advice to young players it would be to gain and maintain your confidence in the sport. Confidence is an important part of being able to play at the level you are capable of playing at. Having a good mindset on the court can help you succeed in many ways,” Muzumdar said.
Some people’s goals and ambitions are to continue their sport at a collegiate level.
“Playing in college is something in the back of my mind,” Ireland said. “But I am not sure for now what to do in the future.”
Perkins offered a few heartfelt words of encouragement and motivation to inspire confidence and drive.
“Don’t be afraid to stand out or look stupid. Being loud and celebrating with your teammates are the best parts of volleyball, and the fear of standing out restricts your potential to grow as an athlete,” Perkins said.
