Meet the Class of ’23 Richardson High School Volleyball Senior Eagles
When one chapter ends and another one begins. When you’re a senior high school athlete the season can be somewhat bittersweet. Do you remember the first day of practice your Freshman year when you met the seniors and said I can’t wait to be in their shoes one day? Then in a blink of an eye, four years have passed and you’re now walking in those shoes. Ironically enough the Freshmen you met at the start of the year have occasion said I can’t wait until my senior year.
Meet the Class of ’23 Richardson High School Volleyball Senior EaglesRichardson High School Volleyball Senior Olivia HagstromRichardson High School Volleyball Senior Camryn DykeRichardson High School Volleyball Senior Basia MitchellRichardson High School Volleyball Senior Mariana CorderoRichardson High School Volleyball Senior Brooke RifkinRichardson High School Volleyball Senior Rita ArayaThe team here at 9INE POINT wishes these student-athletes best of luck and success in their next chapters.
Once that final whistle blows for some seniors their mind goes straight to dreaming about playing in college. For others, they are officially hanging up their jersey. We at 9INE POINT want to do what we can to help showcase some senior high school athletes and give them an opportunity to Pass the Torch to the class of athletes that will one day be in their shoes. Coached by Eric Miracle, the Class of ’23 Richardson High School Eagles senior volleyball players, Olivia Hagstrom, Camryn Dyke, Basia Mitchell, Mariana Cordero, Brooke Rifkin and Rita Araya are ready to do just that.
Richardson High School Volleyball Senior Olivia Hagstrom
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Position: Outside/DS
Class: ’23
Club: Previously I’ve played for Summit, Excel and Skyline
High School: Richardson High School
- If you could pepper with any person in the world, who would it be?
If I could pepper with anyone in the world, it would be Katie Staiger who is an alumni volleyball player from Baylor University because I grew up going to her games and always wanted to be like her. - What is your favorite memory as a high school athlete?
My favorite memories are hard to choose because there have been lots of great times with the various teams. I would have to say the best ones are when we are warming up and pregaming while JV is playing because we’re always having a blast and enjoying each other’s company. Also of course the intense games like defeating Heath, Lake Highlands, and Pearce are always so fun to play. Every year and every new team has been different in their own ways which has made playing for RHS such a cool experience.
- What’s one thing that you are proud that you or the team have achieved this season?
One thing this year’s team especially has accomplished this season is the amount of injured players that have come back and fought to be better than they were before. We’ve had four ACL tears, hip surgery, broken ankles and broken wrists, and many many concussions. This has definitely been a setback for many reasons, like our first match of the season versus Lake Highlands where we only had one setter left healthy so we had to pull up a JV setter for backup. But in the end, the people that have come back out of their injury have been nothing but strong and supportive.
- What’s your pregame ritual? Even our favorite pros have something that they do before every competition. What’s yours?
Our team’s pregame ritual is a combination of things, we start off with a dance called K-wang, and then we drift into Cotton-Eye-Joe, then a cheer called Jigilo that has been a tradition in RHSVB for many years, and finally we end off with lining up outside the gym door by class and when this certain song starts playing we each hit the wall as we pass and run out making a circle on the court. - If you could give one piece of advice to the underclassmen, what would you tell them?
My advice would be to always give your all and only continue doing it if you enjoy playing, once you lose that passion for the game it will start to become a chore. Giving your all will make everything so much better, the hard work you’ll put into practice and games will pay off and you’ll be so proud of yourself. - Here at 9INE POINT, we believe that you are more than just your sport. Outside of the game, what else are you involved with?
Outside of volleyball, I have been involved in the Culinary magnet at RHS for four years now and I have created a love for cooking. I also volunteer as a leader at my church every Sunday to care for the babies as parents watch the service. Attending country music concerts is also one of my favorite things to do with my friends and family. And lastly, I work at Haystack Burgers and Barley every week and have created some great friendships through that experience.
- What are you looking most forward to in the future or your future plans?
My future plans are to hopefully attend the University of Texas A&M and study business and be in a sorority. If I do not go to College Station I have gotten into the University of Oklahoma and the University of Arkansas where I would also like to study business and be in a sorority. After college I plan on getting married, having four kids, living in a huge house with some land, and possibly owning lots of animals. I also want to give back to my parents, so hopefully I have a career that can give me that opportunity.
Richardson High School Volleyball Senior Camryn Dyke
Hometown: Richardson, TX
Position: Pin Hitter/DS
Year: ’23
High School: Richardson High School
- If you could pepper with any person in the world, who would it be?
If I could pepper with any person in the world it would be Yuji Nishida, who is a Japanese professional men’s volleyball player. He has an insane arm swing that I would love to witness in person, but not necessarily be on the receiving end of. Since the game of volleyball has progressed so much throughout its history, I would love to play with someone who is at the top of the sport currently. - What is your favorite memory as a high school athlete?
My favorite memory as a high school athlete took place at a pre-season tournament my junior year. Our team had a dance party with a few other varsity teams in the hallway before our matches. I had a great time letting loose with the other girls and I think it allowed us all to play better because we had worked out all our pregame jitters. Being able to have that experience of camaraderie with our competition reminded me that we are all just high schoolers who are there to have fun. - What’s one thing that you are proud that you or the team have achieved this season?
One personal achievement I am proud of is coming back from my knee injury. Having been out since the beginning of off-season last year, I spent a lot of time off the court
and at times I felt like I might not make it back in time for season. Because it was such a long recovery process, there was a great feeling of pride when I was finally able to pass
my sports test. Even if I am not yet back to the same playing level, I have loved being able to get back out on the court.
- What’s your pregame ritual? Even our favorite pros have something that they do before every competition. What’s yours?
My personal ritual would probably be braiding at least one girl’s hair on the team before the game. As one of the only braiders on the team, I usually have a line of people
waiting for my services, so it feels strange to go a game without being asked to braid someone’s hair. As a team, we have the same dances and cheers we do before every
game to get every one hyped up and ready to play. It’s always fun to see the underclassmen slowly catch on to the dances and be able to teach them by the end of the season.
- If you could give one piece of advice to the underclassmen, what would you tell them?
My words of wisdom to the underclassmen would be that there are so many more roles than just the ones on the court. As someone who was injured and didn’t see much
playing time even before that, it was very important for me to find a way to be a part of the team without being the main point scorer. Whether it’s cheering on your teammates,
being the loudest in the huddles, or braiding your teammates’ hair, there is a role for everybody if you are willing to find it. - Here at 9INE POINT, we believe that you are more than just your sport. Outside of the game, what else are you involved with?
One of the biggest programs I am involved in outside of volleyball at my school is the Desperados partner dancing team. I have been dancing since I was four years old, sogetting to dance at my school has been a great way to express that side of myself. Making art is another one of my creative outlets. By selling commissioned artworks through Instagram, I have been able to turn my passion for art into a part time job.
Richardson High School Volleyball Senior Basia Mitchell
Hometown: Mount Pleasant, TX
Position: Right Side
Year: ’23
High School: Richardson High School
- If you could pepper with any person in the world, who would it be?
If I could pepper with any person, I would pick Kelsey Robinson. - What is your favorite memory as a high school athlete?
My favorite memory is winning state in the long jump, 200 meter, and 100 hurdles with a strained quad. - What’s one thing that you are proud that you or the team have achieved this season?
I’m proud of the way our team have connected with each other on and off the court. - What’s your pregame ritual? Even our favorite pros have something that they do before every competition. What’s yours?
One thing that we do as a team is a few line dances and an interactive chant. - If you could give one piece of advice to the underclassmen, what would you tell them?
My advice to the underclassmen is to never give up and no matter what always work 110%, because it will pay off. - Here at 9INE POINT, we believe that you are more than just your sport. Outside of the game, what else are you involved with?
Outside of sports I enjoy, music and cooking. - What are you looking most forward to in the future or your future plans?
I am looking forward to continuing to grow as a young woman and graduating high school, then taking that next step in life.
Richardson High School Volleyball Senior Mariana Cordero
Hometown: El Paso, TX
Position: L/DS
Year: ’23
Club: Areté Volleyball Club
High School: Richardson High School
- If you could pepper with any person in the world, who would it be?
My sister because she challenges me. - What is your favorite memory as a high school athlete?
My favorite memory as a high school athlete was traveling to Bay City and getting to know our team better; grow closer. - What’s one thing that you are proud that you or the team have achieved this season?
One thing I’m proud of this team has achieved is the opportunity to pay in the playoffs. - What’s your pregame ritual? Even our favorite pros have something that they do before every competition. What’s yours?
Our pregame ritual is dancing to fun songs like Cotton-Eye Joe, so very Texans. My personal pregame ritual is taking a moment to myself to focus and visualize. - If you could give one piece of advice to the underclassmen, what would you tell them?
If I could give one piece of advice to underclassmen, it would be that you to have to trust the process and everyone develops at different rates of time. - Here at 9INE POINT, we believe that you are more than just your sport. Outside of the game, what else are you involved with?
I am involved in the law magnet since Freshman year,. I was originally planning to study law but taking another career path I love. Regardless the skills and laws I’ve learned are important for everyday life. - What are you looking most forward to in the future or your future plans?
I am most looking forward to potentially getting accepted into SMU to major in Psychology and minor in Journalism. I can wait to broaden my horizons and go to college.
Richardson High School Volleyball Senior Brooke Rifkin
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Position: DS/Libero
Class: ’23
Club Team: Untouchables EPA volleyball club
High School: Richardson High School
- If you could pepper with any person in the world, who would it be?
If i could pepper with any person in the world, it would be Kerri Walsh Jennings because I grew up watching her play in the AVP tournaments and the Olympics. - What is your favorite memory as a high school athlete?
My favorite memory as a high school athlete is just playing any home game with a big crowd, and a loud student section. The energy in the gym makes the game so much fun knowing all of those people are taking time out of there day to come support our team. - What’s one thing that you are proud that you or the team have achieved this season?
I am very proud of the team for being open-minded, and staying consistent with our work ethic throughout the season. - What’s your pregame ritual? Even our favorite pros have something that they do before every competition. What’s yours?
Our pregame ritual includes three prep dances that we do to get ‘hype’ before our game. We do the K-Wang dance, Cotton Eye Joe, and Jigilo. - If you could give one piece of advice to the underclassmen, what would you tell them?
If i could give one piece of advice to underclassmen, i would say do not compare your journey to other people. Have your own goals and work for yourself. If you live your life comparing yourself to others, you will never satisfy yourself. Being able to reach your goals helps your confidence, and confidence is vital when playing high school sports. - Here at 9INE POINT, we believe that you are more than just your sport.Outside of the game, what else are you involved with?
Outside of volleyball, I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends, working out, and participating in a mother daughter charity league with my mom, NCL. - What are you looking most forward to in the future or your future plans?
What I am looking forward to most is going to college at Kent State to continue my academic and athletic career. I am attending the business school at KSU, and playing volleyball, as well.I am super excited to see where life takes me post college.
Richardson High School Volleyball Senior Rita Araya
Hometown: Richardson, TX
Position: Middle Blocker
Year: ’23
Club: Frisco Flyers
High School: Richardson High School
- If you could pepper with any person in the world, who would it be?
If I could pepper with anyone in the world it would have to be my first pepper partner back when I was 12 years old. We played club together for a few years and became best friends, but when we went separate ways with volleyball we haven’t seen each other since. - What is your favorite memory as a high school athlete?
My favorite memory as a high school athlete would be winning district champions last season, and our trip to Bay City this season. - What’s one thing that you are proud that you or the team have achieved this season?
During preseason we connected pretty fast, and that helped us win 1st place in two tournaments. - What’s your pregame ritual? Even our favorite pros have something that they do before every competition. What’s yours?
Before our match, to get hype we do 3 different dances with the team. It’s been a tradition for many many years. The dances being Cotton Eye Joe, Jigilo, and K Wang - If you could give one piece of advice to the underclassmen, what would you tell them?
There are going to be bumps in the road when it comes to being a volleyball player, but it’s crucial to keep a positive attitude and don’t give up when it gets difficult. - Here at 9INE POINT, we believe that you are more than just your sport. Outside of the game, what else are you involved with?
Outside of volleyball I enjoy working out and spending quality time with my family and friends. - What are you looking most forward to in the future or your future plans?
I’m looking forward to graduating from a university and going to med school and hopefully becoming a pediatrician after.
