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10/14/2021 12:00 AMDaisy Pope wanted to get out of her comfort zone when she was a 7th-grader at Adams Middle School. The big question was: What was the best way for Daisy to accomplish that goal?
Daisy decided to join the middle school volleyball team, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of her life. Now, six years later, Daisy is leading the Guilford girls’ volleyball squad at the high school as a senior captain this season.
“I started playing volleyball in the 7th grade and have looked forward to every season since,” says Daisy. “I decided very last minute that I was going to try out for the Adams’ team. With no prior experience with volleyball, I thought trying out for the team was a great way to try something completely out of my comfort zone.”
Daisy’s volleyball skills have grown by leaps and bounds since she started playing the sport. Daisy suits up at the setter position for Guilford, and she loves the rush that comes with competing on the court.
“I love that volleyball is such a fast-paced game. There is never a dull moment,” Daisy says. “It is an incredible team sport that requires constant intensity from every member. There is no better feeling than when your team gets into a perfect rhythm on the court and then we join together for a cheer of triumph.”
After Guilford lost its first three matches of the 2021 campaign, Daisy has helped the Grizzlies win six of their last nine to improve to 6-6, including a recent 3-2 victory over Shelton. Daisy has recorded 150 assists with 50 digs and 16 aces thus far on the season.
“In a recent game, we battled it out with Shelton. We went to game five, so this was our last game to come out on top,” says Daisy. “We started the set with an instant takeover. As a team, our energy was harmonious. And when we got the winning point, my favorite moment was the celebration of our victory.”
First-year Head Coach Marisa Ceneri calls Daisy one of the most important players on Guilford’s roster. Coach Ceneri enjoys working with the senior captain.
“Daisy is a key player to the girls’ volleyball team. She plays with so much confidence and is a pleasure to coach,” Ceneri says. “She has very good hand-eye coordination, which makes her a great setter. Daisy never gives up and always works to her highest potential.”
Daisy is also quite complimentary of Guilford’s new coach. Daisy says that she’s quickly formed a strong relationship with Ceneri through the first half of the season.
“Coach Ceneri and I have a great, supportive relationship. She has my back, and I have hers,” says Daisy. “Coach really makes it her mission to inspire us, so we want to succeed. This success of this season would not have been possible if she did not step up and take a chance on us. As a team, she makes us all better players.”
One of the keys to Daisy’s success as a setter is the strong mental approach that she brings to the floor. Daisy never allows herself get defeated if she makes a mistake and is always ready to bounce back for the next point.
“One thing I make sure to do is to not let myself get down. Taking one point at a time, one set at a time is how I focus when playing,” Daisy says. “I believe it is most important to have fun out there. You have to want the next point, and you have to play every point with commitment, but it is important to shake it off and move on if you have a minor error. It never helps me to dwell on my mistakes. I just refocus and believe in myself to make the next play.”
Aside from volleyball, Daisy is also an avid dancer. Daisy started dancing prior to playing volleyball and feels that her participation in dance has made her a better all-around athlete.
“I have been dancing since I could walk, and I believe that it definitely contributes to my success in volleyball,” says Daisy. “The strength, agility, tempo, and teamwork that is requires to be a dancer translates beautifully to the game of volleyball.”
As the Guilford volleyball squad enters the home stretch of its season, Daisy wants the Grizzlies to finish the year strong. Daisy is going to keep working hard to help her team reach its potential.
“As a captain, I am really looking for our team to continue to work together and push ourselves. We are capable of making really awesome plays, and we are all very talented,” Daisy says. “As a varsity team, and a team as a whole, it is expected that our enthusiasm and drive to win stays high.”