A talented volleyball player, student and leader, Southmoore’s Tejas Patel supports her classmates in and out of her sport. “Going to school events like football games is something fun I love to do because it keeps me involved,” Patel said.
She also plans to join National Honor Society soon. She started playing volleyball after bouts with dance, tumbling, soccer and basketball.
“I started playing at the YMCA at the age of 11. My friend’s dad was the coach and she encouraged me to start playing, and now it’s the only thing I do,” Patel said. “I have always been active. My parents did not play sports, but they have always been interested in it and always supporting me.” She stuck with volleyball, she said, because of “the way the game is played.”
“The competition and excitement you get on the court is like no other,” Patel said. “The feeling I get from this sport is something I haven’t felt for any other sport. The way you can be a leader at all times on the court and playing with your closest friends is just so fun.”
Communicating with her teammates is key. Patel finds herself talking to her teammates often during games.
“Always comforting them or telling them where to hit,” Patel said. “I’m very talkative, so there’s always some conversation on the court.”
She said leadership came naturally to her. “Seeing upperclassmen lead just encouraged me to. I think it’s a great trait to have and can make you a good teammate on the court,” Patel said.
In her free time, Patel enjoys hanging out with friends and cooking with her family. Patel is open to continuing her volleyball career at the next level, but it is not a priority in her college decision.