Blanchard’s Brinley Abbott
By Ivy Knapp
Volleyball has been a big part of Brinley Abbott’s life since the seventh grade. As a setter, she has grown greatly on the court. Volleyball has taught her many valuable skills and brought her lifelong friendships along the way.
“What I enjoy most is being part of a team,” she said. “I’ve met so many new people and made lifelong friends through volleyball.”
Over the years, she’s learned that success in volleyball is about more than athletic ability.
“I think the most important skills are being able to read and anticipate where the ball is going to go,” she explained. “We have to be quick to close blocks, and reading effectively cuts down the time it takes to get there.”
Her dedication shows in her daily routine. She practices every day and even goes to the gym with her mom. To stay strong on game days, she makes sure to eat well, drink plenty of water, and sometimes keeps a snack on the bench.
“I think mental toughness is one of the most important things in volleyball,” she said. “I try not to keep thinking back on mistakes and instead have a next-ball mentality.”
Her favorite place to play is Tuttle, where the rivalry is at its highest.
“They’re probably our biggest rival so the games are always close and a lot of fun,” she said. Off the court, she’s involved in National Honor Society and enjoys art with her favorite teacher, Mrs. Menefee. “She really cares about all of her students and is so easy to talk to,” she said.
She finds inspiration from Cait Briggs, her club coach during her 15s and 16s seasons at Charge.
“She taught me so much about volleyball and being a good person,” she said. “When I play, I want to be the kind of player she was.”
Her pregame routine includes a bacon breakfast burrito from Sonic and peach rings before every match. Outside of volleyball, she enjoys movies and hanging out with friends. Looking ahead, she plans to continue her volleyball career in college while studying nursing.
