by Shannon McCarthy, staff writer
Varsity volleyball captain, Senior Heidi Li, has been recruited by MIT. Li plans to attend the college this upcoming school year and major in bioengineering. She has been a tremendous role model this high school season to her under classmates and will continue to grow as she moves up to the next level.
“High intensity and a lot of hardcore training, but most of all having fun, meeting new people, and making new friends” is what Li expects to experience in her upcoming season.
MIT volleyball, coached by Paul Dill, is an extremely strong D3 school. Their in-conference record for last years season was 10-0 and their overall record was 29-5.
MIT has been one of Li’s number one choices of college to attend. She got in touch with the coach by emailing him. He then invited her to attend MIT’s volleyball camp.”I like him, he’s strict, but In a good way, he’ll make me a better athlete and teammate for sure” Li states about Dill.
Li has been playing volleyball for six years. She states that “it’s a huge part of my life. I can’t imagine living without it.” Li began her volleyball lifestyle playing for Maryland Juniors, and has played with them ever since. She started off as a middle blocker, she is now an amazing outside hitter with the skills and ability of many other positions.
“Volleyball has taught me how to keep pushing through the injuries and physical discomfort as well as mental challenges to make me become a better athlete and a better person.”
Li has become very knowledgeable about the game. “Her intelligent advice is extremely helpful to a first-time varsity player,” state’s sophomore teammate Ellie Cirovski.
Li’s knowledge and leadership help to better a team she is on. “she keeps the team together when in frantic situations. Heidi calmly tells the team what needs to be done, and it shows her leadership is influencing the team,” says Cirovski.
Coach Lynn Paynter, the varsity volleyball coach, has high expectations for Li. “Heidi needs to remember that she has two roles, one as a key starting player and the other to lead the team both by example and in spirit” state’s coach Paynter. Li has been on varsity since her junior year and has had a major impact on the team. “She is able to take her knowledge of the game and adjust her play based on what she sees on the court.”
Li has a lot in store for her this upcoming season and the rest of her college career. Cirovski emphasizes
“She balances so much so effortlessly and is a student-athlete inspiration.”