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in the state tournament . Polokoff was a big reason for the run . Her game has improved since she first hit the varsity scene . At 5-foot-8 , Polokoff uses her height to her advantage as an outside hitter . She can come at teams with both power and finesse . She makes it hard on any team that has to play and try to match up with her . For Polokoff having the pressure on the palm of her hand is something that she craves .
Some players don ’ t want to the ball at crucial times in the match , not Polokoff . The more you feed her the better she is .
“ Outside hitter has always been my favorite position . I ’ ve played middle and right side for a while and I ’ ve decided outside is the best for me , because it helps me time out my approach best to swing the hardest and have the most accuracy ,” stated Polokoff . “ I believe following through with your swing and snapping your wrist will give you the proper topspin swing , whilst angling your shoulders to aim .”
Polokoff hasn ’ t just honed her skills while playing for the Flames . Like most athletes these days , Polokoff applies her trade with her travel team , Niagara County Volleyball Club ( NCVC ). There she plays some of the best teams in the Western New York as well as the country .
It allows her to work on different aspects of her game , while also seeing what she needs to improve on .
“ Club has conditioned me and my teammates extremely well every year by making us work hard on and off the court , whether it be working out in the weight room , running volleyball drills , or eating healthy . It ’ s always been a
“ I became more focused over the years , because when I was younger I took it almost as a joke and didn ’ t appreciate the true art of the sport ,” stated Polokoff .
huge help and has always kept me motivated ,” stated Polokoff . “ There are many different levels of volleyball , but you must always push and sweep the floor - and not fall into the trap of becoming a lesser team because you played down to another teams level . For the teams that are more experienced than our team , we push and put in 110 percent , and usually it ’ s a close game or we win .”
Winning is something it seems Polokoff has been doing her entire life . On the high school scene , Williamsville East can easily be mentioned up there with the likes of St . Mary ’ s and Eden High School . They are a dominating force in Western New York , and not easy out .
With winning sometimes comes complacency . It can be easy to take things for grant it when you are dominating teams
SEPTEMBER 21 , 2018 | SportsUnion 13
on a nightly basis . A true competitor knows how to get themselves for every game – even if they know they are going to win as soon as they walk in to the gym .
“ I push every moment I can because I know I can always be a better player . My team has motivated me throughout the years and I ’ ve always appreciated that , and hope we stay friends for a long time because we ’ ve been through a lot throughout the years ,” stated Polokoff . “ I ’ ve been with the Williamsville East volleyball team since the seventh grade , and I ’ ve always been motivated by my fellow teammates . The challenges we have faced together have made us a stronger team altogether . My favorite memory was probably going to states last year , we pushed really hard and made it far and that memory will always stick with me .”
If Polokoff wants she could easily play at the next level . The question is does she want to continue the daily volleyball grind . Playing this sport can take a toll on your body physically . Diving on the court and jumping at some point will have lasting effects .
Also , the mental grind can be exhausting . Watching film , going over a daily grind cold always lead to burnout . While she hasn ’ t made up her mind completely , Polokoff knows that volleyball will last for only so long , and that getting a great education is priority number one .
“ I have received some options from colleges after the east coast championship after club season but I ’ m not 100 % sure I will play in college yet because I do want to focus on my academics and my future ,” stated Polokoff . “( If I do end up playing in college ) I feel I can work out to increase my core strength to have a hard swing and a higher vertical to swing closer to the ten foot line . Some weaknesses can include my frustration in myself if I miss one point which is a dangerous trap for your mentality , so I try to push the next point and not let that ball touch the ground on our side of the court .”