Photos by Avery Walker
Q & A with freshman varsity volleyball and basketball player Sarah Bingham
Q: What is it like being a freshman on varsity?
A: It’s kind of crazy because the people I’m playing with are all older than me but it’s nice to have older friends because they guide me not only through sports but through school too. It’s super fun to be able to play at a high level with all the other girls.
Q: What are the practices like for each sport?
A: In volleyball we do a lot of technique and footwork. The main difference between basketball and volleyball is the running. Basketball has a lot more running while volleyball is more jumping. A lot of days I go from basketball practice at East to basketball at Bishop Miege [for club] back-to-back.
Q: How does high school compare to club sports?
A: With high school each team has three or four really good players and it comes down to matchups. If your good player can guard their good player it’s a battle of the best players. Since there is a wider range of experience [in club] it really brings the team together. Also in high school you bond a lot more while club is more individual — you’re trying to get a scholarship.
Q: Do you like the loud environment?
A; Yeah I like the energetic environment for sure. For some people it distracts them but for me I don’t notice it and I don’t like when it’s quiet especially in volleyball. I’m more comfortable when it’s loud but some I guess it makes them nervous so it depends on the person.
Q: How has your height helped you?
A: I have always been tall I just incrementally grew three inches every year. It has made me stand out. I wasn’t the most athletic kid or most talented growing up, but I was put on the better teams to develop the skills and play at a high level because they knew with my height I had the potential to be good.
Q: Are you looking at colleges?
A: I will probably play volleyball in college. My dream is to play four years of volleyball then play my fifth year for basketball since you have five years of eligibility. By that time I would be bigger and stronger but I might not be able to stay at the same school because I’m better at volleyball than I am at basketball.
Q: What are your biggest strengths?
A: In basketball probably blocking shots. A lot for my strengths carry over between the two sports. In volleyball, there is a hit called a slide and it has the same movement as a lay-up. And in basketball, I’m most known for blocking and that is sort of like hitting in volleyball. It’s almost like I’m double training even though they’re different sports.
Q: Are you able to balance your school work well with sports?
A: People told me to not take all honors in high school because it’s not manageable but I did anyway. Right now I take all honors while playing two sports but it’s not bad at all. I know I have to get it done because I don’t have much time and I try to get a lot done at school.
Sarah Bingham chats with Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Lauren Lawrence during practice
Freshman forward Sarah Bingham stops to tie her shoe during a girl’s basketball practice
Sarah Bingham dives for a ball with her fellow teammate, during a drill at a recent practice