Capps proves to be the underdog of varsity volleyball

Max Piper

Sophomore Thomas Capps sets his teammate in the game against Pac Ridge. The Lancers won in three sets to the Firebirds.

Rubie Riddle, staff photographer
May 10, 2018

 In high schools worldwide, varsity sports are directed towards upperclassman because they are considered to have more experience in competing. However, sophomore Tommy Capps was accepted to play varsity volleyball amongst the some of the best volleyball players CHS has to offer. On this team, Capps takes the role as the underdog underclassmen. While being younger than majority of the team, Capps is constantly exposed to the pressure of competing with juniors and seniors.

“I feel most motivated by the upperclassman because I have to work just as hard if not harder to keep up with them,” Capps said. “I love that we can push each other.”

Capps has continual incentive to improve and utilizes the upperclassmen’s  knowledge and past participation in the sport to do so. Last year as a freshmen, Capps showed his accelerated skills and was able to competing on the junior varsity team. He is able to draw from his past experiences and compares the distinctions between the two different teams.

“Practices for varsity are much more strict and serious vs junior varsity being a lot more relaxed,” Capps said. “Within the varsity practices we are competing for game playing time and everyone is more focused on refining their skills.”

Capps’ past two years competing in the sport has been a turning point in his volleyball career. As Capps plays with older teammates, he has picked up on the strain of college competition and began to consider volleyball seriously in the future.

“Volleyball is an amazing sport that I have fallen in love with and hope to incorporate it into my college career and possibly obtain a scholarship,” Capps said.

With Capps’ progression in volleyball comes the decision as to which type of volleyball he wants to participate in. He contrasts the differences between sand or beach volleyball vs indoor as a possible college career path.

“Indoor is very different than beach volleyball because indoor is very fast pace with 6 people on the court, while beach is more strenuous because it’s a lot harder to move and you have to cover the entire court with only two people,” Capps said.

While Capps enjoys both types of volleyball, he states that he will most likely continue with indoor because he enjoys the team facet and feels it better suits his skills. Even though he enjoys different aspects of the sport he seems to find no fault in volleyball and loves every part of the sport.

“Tommy has been such an important asset to our team this year as our setter and I cannot wait to play again with him next year,” senior teammate Donovan Fourmont said.