Senior Tori Huntley loves playing volleyball, and after taking her final high school year off she has a chance to make up for it by being a member of the Iowa Heart Volleyball Association (IHVA) traveling team.
“I’m excited for this chance,” said Huntley. “This will help me keep my skills sharp before I get to the college level.” She plans to pursue a degree in Animal Science at Iowa Central starting this fall, and has already been told by the volleyball coach for the Tritons that they are interested in having her on their team.
The IHVA is the oldest club volleyball organization in the state, and is based in Ames but is not in any way associated with the Ames Community School District. They offer training and competition for anyone looking to improve their skills. Players range in age from 10-18, and clinics and tryouts are held each fall to chose the team members.
“I’ve been wanting to do club volleyball,” said Huntley. “I looked online and came up with this. Some of the girls I have played against have also played for them. I decided to go to a clinic and tryout to make the team.” The clinic sessions gave her a chance to see if she would like this. “They were very welcoming,” she said. “It seemed like a good fit for me.”
The following week she went to the first tryout, and felt she got along with all of the girls very well. The second tryout had Huntley seeing some girls she already knew through the sport, and so she returned home eager to hear back from them that she would be invited. She then got an email offer to join the team!
“This will be a great opportunity to meet new girls that love this sport like I do,” said Huntley. “My first practice was this past Sunday, and we will have six or seven tournaments with some here and one in Minnesota. They are even going to one in Orlando, Florida. That will be fun!” Huntley will now be making some memories that will last well after her playing days are over, not to mention a few life-long friends. “I’m looking forward to playing on a competitive level with coaches that will push me to be the best playerTori I can be,” said Huntley
