Sharon-Mutual High School senior Raelyn Syms has been playing volleyball since seventh grade, but it started as more of an interest than a passion.
“Initially, I never thought about playing volleyball,” she said. “I grew up playing softball, but when I heard that my high school had started a volleyball program, I decided to give it a try.”
Her openness to trying a new sport led to a love for it over the years. One thing that encouraged that was, according to Syms, “finding a coach who truly cared about both the sport and the team as a whole, because that really deepened my love for volleyball.”
Before a game you’ll find Syms getting hyped up with her teammates, but after a game the focus is a little more serious.
“My pre-game ritual is a little silly, while the referee is checking our numbers, I like to dance with my teammates to boost our energy,” she said. “My post-game ritual is watching film and taking notes in my film notebook.”
When Syms is on the court, she doesn’t care who is on the other side of the net. No opponent rivalry takes her focus away from enjoying playing alongside her team.
“What I really love is competing, playing with my friends, and cheering on each of my teammates,” she said. “My teammates are like family. I go to a small school and have known most of them since Pre-K. They are some of my biggest supporters, and I try to give that same support back to them.”
Syms credits a couple of teammates in particular with supporting her and helping her sharpen her skills on the court.
“Mackenzie Bosscawen helps me in areas where she sees room for improvement,” said Syms. “Another person who really helps me is my friend, Gracie Mabra. If she notices something is off, she immediately tells me, and I feel that helps a lot.”
One person who has had an invaluable impact on her life is her dad.
“My role model in life is my father,” said Syms. “He’s a paramedic and introduced me to the health field. He has high expectations and pushes me every day, which I really appreciate.”
Syms is also involved in other organizations at her school, as well as cheer, basketball, and track. After graduation she will attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) to study nursing and plans to become a nurse anesthesiologist.
