Although numerous players choose one position in volleyball and spend their entire high school career developing it, junior Cassidy Hutchins’ adroitness is displayed in various positions, while she plays in her second year on the varsity team.

Ever since Hutchins’ freshman year, she has learned a new position each season. Though this seems challenging at times, she says hard work and perseverance got her through.

“Freshman year on JV I was an outside hitter,” Hutchins said. “I was selected as a ‘co-MVP’ for that team. Sophomore year, near the beginning of the summer, coach [Shailey] Jones came up to me and said we were losing the starting setter, so she needed someone to step up and learn how to set. At first, it was frustrating because instead of being really good at one position I had to just be mediocre at many positions but in the end it was all worth.”

According to Hutchins, she needed to work twice as hard in order to learn the new skill of a setter. By the end of summer break, she earned herself a starting position on varsity.

“About four weeks into the season, I was diving for a ball at practice and my fingers stayed on the floor while the rest of my arm came over them,” Hutchins said. “I had sprained two of my fingers, both pointer and middle, and the left half of my right hand was bruised and swollen.”

Eventually the pain became unbearable and Hutchins was forced to give up her spot on varsity to a senior, she said. Although encountering hardships, she now considers her sophomore year an influential time of learning as well as a humbling experience.

“I have learned a lot of patience with injuries,” Hutchins said, “and I’ve tried to discern the difference between something hurt or injured. I have definitely learned to not take advantage of the time I play when I’m not injured, and it makes me play that much harder.”

Throughout the years, Hutchins’ injuries have been frequent. However, she says her competitive drive does not allow for the absence of sports, and she often relies on family for support and strength.

“My parents have been my number one fans,” Hutchins said. “My mom is always at the games and my dad does his best to make it to every game he can. They support me in all my sports, but they try to keep me accountable with my injuries. They love to watch me succeed in sports, but don’t think it’s necessary if I’m in pain.”

Despite several injuries, Hutchins has made numerous recoveries, returning to play with an intense desire to compete.

“When we made it to the second round of playoffs last year,” Hutchins said, “we wouldn’t have one starter because her family was going on a cruise. I had an opportunity to play again, except I had never played middle back before. I was nervous because we were going up against Coast Union, a very strong offensive team, and middle back would be really busy.”

With only three days of practice to learn the position, Hutchins took the court as starting middle back. Although the game resulted in a loss for the Eagles, she attributes much of her current digging skills to this game.

New varsity coach David Tatum arrived at FC shortly before the fall 2009 season. Hutchins says Tatum asked what position she would like to play. Hutchins replied with whatever he needed her to. With Tatum’s new 5-1 offense (meaning one setter and five other players), Hutchins plays mainly opposite and right back.

“In volleyball my favorite position is opposite and middle back even though I play right back,” Hutchins said. “I like opposite because it’s typically for a left-handed hitter and so it challenges me since I’m right-handed. I also like middle back because they generally pick up most hits from other teams. They cover a lot of back row and I love to dig up under hits.”

This season Tatum challenged Hutchins with a new way of hitting as an outside back. Hutchins also added an improved jump-serve to her game. In spite of these improvements, Hutchins says camaraderie is the most beneficial thing she has learned.

“I have learned so many things in volleyball,” Hutchins said, “but most of all how to be a good teammate. I really had to learn how to work with people even if we don’t get along. I have learned what it means to truly want my teammates to do well even if it means I don’t play. It’s definitely tested my patience and I’ve learned to work through problems.”

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