Versatile Rivers making move to front row
When asked one word to describe Holliday’s Skylar Rivers, head coach Wendy Parker had no hesitation.
“She’s versatile. She can play anywhere on the floor. She sees the floor really well and she’s a threat from anywhere on the court.”
Last season, Rivers was forced into the libero role out of necessity. She excelled at the position, helping Holliday to the regional finals with 392 digs and 32 aces to earn first team all-district honors. This year, she’s making a move back to the front row and has surpassed expectations thus far.
“She was actually our outside hitter her freshman and sophomore year,” Parker said. “She started varsity hitting outside as a freshman. I knew she had the quality in the front row to come in and take Bree (Zellers’) spot. It’s just been a year. She sacrificed last year to fill the libero role. I know she would’ve liked to run the front row but she’s a team player and did what I felt like I needed her to do last year. Some people aren’t expecting her to be the power hitter that she really is.”
In the win over Brock, Rivers made her impact felt in all three phases of the game. She put down five kills, had 17 digs and notched a pair of aces from the service line.
“It felt normal,” the senior said of her first match in the front row. “I played front row in club. It was a little hard coming back to be honest. I actually really liked it. I’m excited to get back out there in the front row.”
Now with two tournaments under her belt, Rivers is hitting her stride and putting opposing teams on notice. Not only does she double as the Lady Eagles’ most versatile player on the volleyball court, Rivers also performs in the award-winning Holliday Color Guard and the Holliday Eagle Band.
“It’s a little stressful managing band and volleyball but I think I do it well,” Rivers said. “All the directors and coaches help me out too. I have lots of checklists and all this stuff to do making sure I don’t forget anything going from volleyball to band on Friday nights.”
After graduation, Rivers hopes volleyball still has a spot in her future although she’s not sure what she wants to do when it’s time to hang up the jersey for good.
“Hopefully I get to continue playing volleyball somewhere. I don’t really know what I want to do if I’m being completely honest. I’m still thinking about it.”
This year, however, Rivers is keeping the goals simple. After last season’s historic run to the regional finals, she believes this year’s squad has what it takes to win a state championship.
“I want to go to state. We’re all really trying to go to state. We hold each other accountable in practice and at school. We’re close enough to not take anything to heart.”
Rivers had one simple message to opposing teams: get ready.
“Watch out. I’m going to surprise some people this year.”
A smooth transition from libero to the front row should make the Lady Eagles’ senior more versatile and more of a threat as Holliday tries to build off last season’s success.
