Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Alyssa Oliver, Havre High volleyball

Just like every other sports program, the Havre High volleyball team had to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 in order to carry out their season. While they got to play their matches last fall, it was not the usual season they know and love. As the Blue Ponies head into their 2021 season, senior Alyssa Oliver hopes to make the most out of a more normal season.

"I'm just looking forward to taking every possession. Every play as best as I can, keeping every ball up. It's my last hurrah," Oliver said. "Hopefully it's not really a COVID year anymore. I kind of got my junior year all wired. It was really weird last year for COVID."

Oliver returns with a HHS volleyball program that qualified for the state tournament last fall. She was a key contributor to the team as an all-conference honorable mention.

She got into volleyball because she grew up watching her older sister playing travel volleyball. Oliver herself finally got on the court in seventh grade and has been playing volleyball ever since. Over the years, she enjoys volleyball for the simple things.

"I love the competitiveness, especially of our team this year," Oliver said. "I really enjoy being around all those girls, making friends, meeting new people."

While many teenage athletes have hobbies outside of sports, Oliver is entirely focused on athletics. Along with volleyball, Oliver will play for the HHS basketball and softball programs one last time over the rest of the year. She hopes to help them repeat their success from last year where the HHS basketball team won the state title and the HHS softball team qualified for the state tournament.

After she finishes her senior year, Oliver hopes to play either collegiate volleyball or softball if she gets the chance. While at college, she wants to study business or accounting but has also been looking into teaching as well lately.

The HHS volleyball team will have their home opener this Friday night at 7 p.m. at Blue Pony Gymnasium. Before the Ponies get back on their home court, the Havre Daily News got the chance to ask Oliver five questions.

HDN: What are the challenges of playing libero in volleyball?

Oliver: "It's kind of hard because other people who play all the way around get whole different aspects of the game but I'm constantly passing. I feel like sometimes passing can be the hardest thing to do because you can't start the play without a good pass. If I don't get a good pass, then we can't really run all the fun things."

HDN: As a senior, do you feel like you are a leader for the team?

Oliver: "I don't think we really need a leader. We all play a good role and we all know what our roles are. I think we do a pretty good job of listening to each other."

HDN: How do you manage your time as a three-sport athlete?

Oliver: "School wise, I just try to do as much as I can. Outside of that, as much as I can in school and then sports wise, it's kind of been always my thing to just go, go, go. All summer, go, go, go. I get a week break and that's even too much for me. I think it's kind of like at the end of the season, I'm excited for the next sport I go into."

HDN: Do you have a favorite out of all the sports you play?

Oliver: "I really couldn't tell you unless I'm playing that sport. Whatever sport I'm playing at the time, it's my favorite."

HDN: What have you learned from your time in the HHS volleyball program?

Oliver: "I've learned to be more patient, especially with the younger kids because there's always going to be younger kids that you have to play with, there's going to be new people."