Athlete: Bayleigh Laabs
Sport: Volleyball
School: Shawano Community High School
Year: Senior
The Shawano Community High School volleyball team features a number of tall, powerful attackers that often strike fear into their opponents. Without a strong setter though, the Hawks’ offensive attack would not be all that effective.
Senior Bayleigh Laabs has been the one facilitating Shawano’s offense this season and has it clicking on all cylinders through two postseason matches. Laabs assisted on 16 kills during the Hawks dominating sweep of Marinette on Tuesday. She then totaled a whopping 34 assists on Thursday when Shawano made quick work of Denmark.
Q: When did your interest in volleyball begin?
A: I first played volleyball in middle school (seventh grade). I really started to get interested when I played club volleyball my eighth grade year.
Q: What’s your favorite part about a volleyball match or the volleyball season?
A: My favorite part about this volleyball season is always knowing my teammates will have my back due to how close we are this year. I also love how much fun we have.
Q: Talk about what it’s like to be the setter on a team with so many great hitters around you.
A: As a setter, I love knowing that no matter how good or bad my set is it will go over because my hitters can work with anything. Due to having a lot of great hitters, we are able to run a much faster offense which changes the game a lot.
Q: How did you personally train for the volleyball season?
A: Before the volleyball season, I try to make it to as many open gyms as I can to be able to work with some hitters to know how they like their sets, so when it comes down to season we can work more on plays right away.
Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Shawano volleyball team?
A: My best memory playing Shawano volleyball was being conference champs last year.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not in school or competing in a high school sport?
A: My favorite thing to do outside of sports is go on adventures, and hang out with friends and family.
Q: Favorite TV show, movie and musical artist?
A: My favorite TV show — “Grey’s Anatomy” or “Riverdale.” My favorite movie — “Footloose,” the new one.