Abner to join collegiate ranks with Viking volleyball program
WHITE PIGEON — White Pigeon volleyball coach Melissa Gales believes Layla Abner will be able to play a strong game of volleyball at the next level.
She has seen the signs of Abner's ability both on and off the courts. Now, Abner will look to take the next steps in furthering her career with volleyball at Glen Oaks Community College beginning next month. It is a step, Abner said, which she is both excited for and nervous.
But that's just fine, because it shows that she cares.
"I really think it's a good fit for her, I think she will excel in anything she does," Gales said of Abner. "She is a very motivated person, I think. She knows what she wants to do and school is obviously important to her as well."
Abner is cautiously optimistic. But she is happy with herself in finding a place like Glen Oaks where she can continue to become her own person. Moving on to the college ranks as an athlete can be a lot for a graduating high school senior.
"When I figured out where I was going, I was kind of proud of myself," Abner said. "It is a big step but I'm happy to have it figured out."
Abner plays the defensive specialist position, which is often a thankless one. It requires a lot of lateral movement and taking on the big hits of the opposing offenses. So why continue to play volleyball?
"I started in like, sixth grade, and ever since then I have just loved the sport. I like the competitiveness it has," she said. "I'm a fan of the joy it brings to me, as well. It can be frustrating at times, but I love that the sport makes me happy."
This past year, as a senior, Abner earned honorable mention accolades by the SouthWest10 Conference.
Abner spoke highly of the team she played with as a senior this past year. It was her final year with the Chiefs, which made it special enough, but Abner said it was also a year which helped her grow. She was proud of the team's play on both offense and defense, additionally saying she felt like the team was more of a family.
"We all worked together so well this year, I think that was important," she said. "This year changed quite a bit for me, I think."
In the classroom, Abner said she plans to follow a career in nursing or potentially culinary.
She prefers baking to cooking, saying the ability to master brownies, cookies and cupcakes is quite a bit of fun.
Abner will miss her friends and teammates from White Pigeon when she moves on to the next level. She won't be far away, but the new chapter brings along new challenges among other things.
Gales said Abner's growth as a senior, even though she had only been coaching her for a year or so, was noticeable.
"She probably blossomed most her senior year, she was a staple for us defensively in serve-receive," Gales said. "I think she really challenged herself as a player this year, learning to push herself."
Abner said she appreciated what Gales did to help her this year. Getting to the next level can always be tough, she knows, but continuing to build confidence in herself will be a big movement forward.
"I'm pretty nervous, I don't really know why but I am," Abner said. "I think it's meeting new people, learning new things. I'm not the best with that, there is some social anxiety, but I think it will be OK."
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: White Pigeon grad to play volleyball with Glen Oaks
Category: General Sports
