By: Ellie Strott
Hadley Rhodes and Her Fuel For Success
Senior volleyball captain Hadley Rhodes has made it to the top gaining acknowledgement and praise. One secret to her success? “Use negativity as motivation”.
“I started playing volleyball in 7th grade for the middle school team at Ursuline Academy. My sister played and it was something I wanted to try out”
Hadley began playing for fun and wanted to try something new. She did not have many expectations, other than to belong to a team. What she did not know was that the sport would come so naturally to her.
“In 8th grade, I made the JV team and actually played with my sister. It became a way for us to hang out and my sister was really proud of me.”
She was successful from the beginning and was on a team with much older girls. It was a place where Hadley and her sister Ainsley could bond together. Although this was exciting, the success came with responsibility and stress. Here started a journey of emotions that Hadley would later overcome.
“Freshman year I made the varsity team for Ursuline Academy. Girls were mean about it and said that I only made the team because of my sister. I think that this taught me a lot about positive pressure and maturity.”
This made Hadley feel like she had something to prove. Rather than get upset or feel defeated, she pushed through. “I had to step up,” she said with enthusiasm.
“Sophomore year I moved to OA. I got in touch with the coach and actually met her at a tournament before the season. When I got to tryouts, she put me with the varsity girls. Automatically the other girls disliked me.”
When Hadley moved to Oliver Ames, she did not know anyone. She was shy and kept to herself. She made the varsity team as a sophomore which caused jealousy and tension with the other girls. Hadley found her place through volleyball and was friends with her senior teammates at school. It is very difficult moving schools alone, but with the added stress and tension from a sport, Hadley was dealing with a lot. Many may view this as a bad thing, but it was a huge factor in Hadley’s high school success. She put all of her efforts into volleyball, and her career took off from there.
“Junior year I took over as the main setter and was a starter on the team. I developed a great relationship with my coach Chelsea, and my teammates. This was the first time I really felt wanted, needed, and included.”
After playing on the team for a couple of years, Hadley felt that it was her home. She was declared a captain for senior year and was excited to have a new role on and off the court. Along with this role came more pressure. The upside to this is that Hadley did what she does best. She used this as fuel for success.
“The start of senior year got really stressful. I was named a Hockomock player to watch. People have told me that I am overrated. It makes me play better and I feel like I can prove them wrong.”
Hadley learned a lot about herself and how to deal with emotions as a player. Furthermore, there was a new factor added. This would be her captaincy.
“As a captain this year I see the team through a new lens. I have learned how to build family, responsibility, how to deal with pressure and leadership.”
Hadley speaks of her team as a family. It is clear that she has grown a great amount and matured as a player and person. She has learned how to turn emotions into success. Hadley has been noticed by local newspapers, was named an All-Scholastic, as well as received Hockomock League awards. She led her team this year to the Davenport League championship and swept North Attleboro for the win.