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11/04/2014 11:00 PMFor Sammy Carlson, the past year has been a case of turning a negative into a positive and using a setback to motivate her to the top of her volleyball game.
The senior setter began with the sport in 7th grade, yet was cut from the Indians' volleyball squad last fall. After playing offseason volleyball to improve at her position, Sammy has not only worked her way back onto the squad, but has also provided strong service to the tune of a 94.1 percentage to go with 321 assists in helping Guilford win 13 matches and reach the SCC Tournament quarterfinals.
"When I got cut last year, I was surprised so I played with the Connecticut Juniors offseason team. My goal was to get better at setting and come back to the team [at Guilford]," says Sammy, who also plays softball for the Indians. "I was really excited to make the team again this year. I knew I had a better chance with my position open this year. I just worked extremely hard for the spot."
Sammy explains that it was a love for both the court and her colleagues which fueled her passion to return to the floor and aid her team's success.
"Volleyball has been my main sport and I wanted to get back with the team because they are so supportive," Sammy says. "Setting is my favorite position and I wanted to prove that you can get back if you work hard. I like every aspect of the game, such as the feeling after your team wins a long a point. I enjoy the setter position because you set up the people around you for success."
Regarding her serve technique, Sammy says it's a case of trial and error, yet she follows a one-track mind of optimism when it comes to being a leader.
"I try different things with my serving and see what works best. I know I have a strong arm so it's just a matter of positioning my serves," says Sammy, who has also tallied 135 digs and 45 aces. "I know it's really important to be a good role model for the younger girls and be positive toward them. On varsity, we make sure to watch the JV and freshmen team games and cheer them on."
Head Coach Laura Meyer knows that Sammy worked feverishly to rejoin the squad and feels her abilities are tremendous asset to the Indians.
"Sammy did not make the team her junior year, but she played in the offseason and worked hard to come back and play her senior year. She attended all the preseason meetings and strength and conditioning sessions," says Meyer. "I could really tell she was working hard and really wanted to be part of the team. We graduated our senior setter so the spot was open and she took full advantage and we are so happy to have her back. She hustles after every ball and stays focused during practices and games. Her serve and game strategies are something we are lucky to have back in the program."
The Indians have enjoyed a five-win improvement from 2013 and Sammy feels the main key to that progression has been unity on the hardwood-something which catapulted them to two huge SCC victories.
"For me personally, I have had a lot of games this year where I've went on long serving streaks of serving 10-12 balls in a row," Sammy says. "The game against East Haven [No. 8 seed] in the first round of SCCs was big for us because we both had the same record going in and we all just came together and worked so well. We just get along so well and know how each person plays. We had a rocky beginning, yet we were fine once we put the pieces together. When we beat Mercy [3-0 on Oct. 6], that was the peak of our season and started our five-game winning streak."
Now preparing to tackle some of the best squads in the state during the Class L draw, Sammy knows that her club must play hard in every set and avoid any lulls.
"Our mindset for states is to go strong and prepare ourselves for any team," says Sammy, who thanks her parents, Jennifer and Richard. "We have to be strong, hit the ground running, and not get in holes during matches."