SENIOR NIGHT: The 2023-24 senior class of the Clarke Central High School varsity volleyball team stands in the CCHS Competition Gym during their senior night on Sept. 22. Sports Editor Cadence Schapker (far right), a senior, thanked her senior class for the memories she’s made on the team. “The humor, kindness and compassion that you three have shown me these past four years is immeasurable and I wanted to thank you all for bringing me out of my shell as the years have gone on,” Schapker said. Photo by Aza Khan
Sports Editor Cadence Schapker reflects on her time as a volleyball player and her time with the CCHS junior varsity and varsity teams.
Walking through the Competition Gym doors felt like a dream. Decorated in my Senior 2024 sash and flowers, escorted by my mom, I walked in a daze. This is my last year on the court I thought to myself, trying to reconnect with the moment, but none of it felt real.
I stood alongside my fellow seniors as Clarke Central High School head varsity volleyball coach Stacey Scott wished us luck in our future endeavors, and I wrestled with the fact that I would never have an experience comparable to playing volleyball.
It’s because of this sport that I know what hard work not only looks like, but feels like. The aches and pains of conditioning and practice will always be reminders that if I put in the work and the effort, I will reap the benefits.
It’s because of the team that I know the importance of comradery and how to put my peers before myself to ensure we achieve our goals as a team, and not just as individual players.
And it’s because of my coach that I know how to constantly seek improvement and to always want more for both myself, and the people around me.
CMS TEAM: The 2018-19 Clarke Middle School volleyball team poses after their last game of the season in the CMS gym. Sports Editor Cadence Schapker reflected on her time playing volleyball from her time starting in eighth grade to her last season as a senior. “Eighth grade me wouldn’t believe you if you told her she played through high school. She wouldn’t believe you if you told her she woke up at 6 a.m. everyday, or that she’d make some of her most entertaining memories playing the very sport she was horrified of at the time,” Schapker said. Photo courtesy of Cadence Schapker
But I realize that I can’t linger on what used to be for long because I’m looking forward to new chapters in my life. So as I let this piece of me live in the past, it’s time I talk to my team one last time.
To my seniors, we made it. We made it through COVID-19 and early mornings in the weight room. We made it through every hard loss and every outstanding win. We’ve made it through every indian run and janky shower, and I can’t imagine not going through it without any of you.
The humor, kindness and compassion that you three have shown me these past four years is immeasurable, and I wanted to thank you all for bringing me out of my shell as the years have gone on. I can’t wait to see where we all go.
To the juniors, I can’t wait to see how y’all transform the team next year. Teach those underclassmen as much as you can and remember to be in the moment because, believe me when I say, your last year really flies.
To the underclassmen, you guys are amazing. There’s so much promise and potential, just stick with it, stick together and stay positive. You’ll make some memories on this team that you can’t find elsewhere.
To myself, I can’t believe I stuck with it for five years. I can’t believe that the eighth grader I used to be, that hated the idea of playing, grew into the person I am today. A person that can’t imagine her life without the sport, that committed to waking up at 6 a.m. every day and that met some of the most amazing people.
“It’s because of this sport that I know what hard work not only looks like, but feels like.”
And to the team, play because you love it, and keep playing good volleyball.
