Teen has her heart set on making Ramapo HS volleyball team just like older sister
WYCKOFF, N.J. — Rebecca 鈥淏ecca鈥� Salmins credits the influence of her big sister Jasmine in getting her excited about volleyball.
鈥淪he was on the Ramapo High School team and when I was little we would hit the ball back and forth,鈥� said Becca. 鈥淚 looked up to her and thought it was an interesting sport.鈥�
Becca took this new interest in the sport and joined Digs, a not-for-profit volleyball club when she was in fifth grade. Today, she is an eighth-grade student at Eisenhower Middle School and practices with her Digs teammates for two hours twice a week. Her tournaments are held on the weekend.听 听
鈥淪ome competitions are in South Jersey and I attended a three-day tournament at Penn State,鈥� said Becca.鈥滻 am looking forward to competing in Washington DC this year.鈥�
Although Becca just turned 14 years old in October, she plays up an age-level on the 15-Red team.
鈥淢y team includes people from all over Bergen County,鈥� said Becca. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fun meeting different people and getting together outside of the court. I feel that I can really be myself with my teammates.鈥�
Becca also gets to be herself when she practices with her dad, Gerhard.
鈥淲e have a strong bond over volleyball and we get to spend quality time together,鈥� said Becca. 鈥淭here is a volleyball net in our backyard and dad helps me practice especially my serving.鈥�
Becca said she doesn鈥檛 get nervous before a tournament.
鈥淎ll those hours I spent practicing with my dad have given me confidence,鈥� said Becca. 鈥淲hen it鈥檚 my turn to serve I turn and look at my dad who gives me a thumbs-up.鈥�
Another way that she is learning and improving her techniques is by watching college volleyball competitions.
鈥淚 will watch games on tv and I really enjoyed watching the Olympic beach volleyball competitions,鈥� said Becca. 鈥淚t was exciting to see Team USA win the gold medal.鈥�
While the Olympics were fun to watch, Becca has her heart 鈥渟et鈥�听 on landing a spot on the Ramapo High School volleyball team.
鈥淚 would love to be on the Ramapo team when I get to high school next year,鈥� said Becca. 鈥淚t would be so cool if I made the varsity team as a freshman.鈥�
When not hitting, passing or spiking a ball, Becca enjoys baking, especially red velvet cookies, with her twin sister Addison and sister Chelsea. She also enjoys watching the television show Criminal Minds and hanging-out with friends at Boulder Run.
While these activities are fun, Becca says it鈥檚 volleyball that really helps her relax.
鈥淧laying volleyball is my way of escaping from things,鈥� said Becca.
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