On Tuesday, Sept. 29, juniors Riley Liskowacki and Maci Little achieved career goals during youth night. Liskowacki achieved the honor of hitting 300 digs while Little accomplished 200 kills.
Liskowacki has been playing volleyball for five years and plays as the libero and the defensive specialist for the Del Val team. She believes she has earned her accomplishments and she practices really hard. Liskowacki achieved 300 digs, which has saved the team from any spikes or dumps that the opposing team has hit.
“[I] work hard every day in practice,” Liskowacki said. “Show up even if I don’t want to. There’s a reason I am here and I deserve to be here.”
Alongside Liskowacki, Little has also achieved 200 kills, which is an offensive attack that results in a point for the team. She has been playing volleyball for five years and doesn’t believe that the accomplishments are just for her.
“Being a great teammate is what really matters to me,” Little said. “The achievements don’t mean anything to me personally. It’s more just me helping out my teammates and helping us win.”
The accomplishments from Liskowacki and Little have inspired the youth players to continue playing the game. These accomplishments were made during Del Val’s volleyball youth night where the middle school teams come to watch what they can be part of in the future. Coach Amy Simpson loves the idea of youth night and believes that it positively impacts the Del Val program.
“We are always excited to have them come and be a part [of the team] and it’s nice for them to cross over,” Simpson said. “Meet the coaches, meet the girls, and know that other girls came from exactly where they came from.”
The team celebrated the night by putting different colors of ribbon in representing their sending district. Green for Alexandria, red and black for Holland, and red and white for Kingwood. Before the game began, the youth players were also able to serve the ball to the other side of the court where the Del Val players were waiting. The youth were enjoying watching the game and cheering on the team from the sidelines along with the Del Val JV team.
“To show the younger girls what high school volleyball is like and make them excited to come play for the high school team because it’s a lot of fun,” Liskowacki said.
