Q&A with Crestview HS volleyball players, sisters Gabrielle and Aubrey Sheffield
CRESTVIEW, Fla. — A Q&A with Gabrielle and Aubrey Sheffield who are sisters and volleyball players at Crestview High School.
Name: Gabrielle Sheffield
Age: 18
School: Crestview High School
Grade:聽 12th
Sport: Volleyball
Years in sport: 8
Teams: Crestview High Bulldogs and Niceville Sharks Club Volleyball
Gabby has committed!聽 She will be playing volleyball for University of Mobile next year – if you see her out and about, make sure to say CONGRATULATIONS!
Name: Aubrey Sheffield聽
Age: 14聽
School: Crestview High School
Grade: 9th聽
Sport: Volleyball聽
Years in sport: 3.5聽
Teams: Crestview High Bulldogs and 850 Elite Volleyball Club聽
What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?
Gabby Sheffield: My personal goals are to be the best I can be and giving my all no matter the circumstance. My athletic dream would be to play in college at some level.
Aubrey Sheffield: My personal goal is being the best player I possibly can be.
What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Gabby: My biggest challenge is probably serve receive – it鈥檚 easy to doubt yourself during this part of the game. However, I just have to believe and be confident in the fact that I can make a good pass and better the ball.
Aubrey: My biggest challenge is not getting frustrated at myself for mistakes I make. I try to refocus my mind on the game by not focusing on the mistakes.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Gabby: The best advice I was ever given was to keep your head in the game and be positive, always give 100 percent.
Aubrey: The best advice I have been given is to always play your best no matter who’s watching.
What do you love about your sport?
Gabby: I love how competitive it is, the bond that is created between teammates, and how it has helped me grow as a person.
Aubrey: Something I love about volleyball is the fast pace and intensity of the games.
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
Gabby: I like to spend time with my team, I pray multiple times, I mentally prepare myself by visualizing plays in my mind, and if I can, I listen to music.
Aubrey: My pregame ritual is praying before we play, it helps me have faith in myself and in my teammates.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Gabby: I like to read the bible, spend time with family and friends, and go on our boat.
Aubrey: I like hanging out with my friends and family, going boating and riding my bike in my free time.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Gabby: Sometimes you have to put the team above yourself and to be there for them on and off the court. Also, be confident that your teammates can do their job.
Aubrey: Being a member of a team has taught me to be able to work well in groups and be able to rely on people.
Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Gabby: Volleyball is just as much of a mental game as it is a physical one. My mistake would be that I got in my head and psyched myself out after messing up once or twice. I overcame that with confidence, I know what my skill set is and I know it鈥檚 okay to make mistakes on occasion. You can鈥檛 get defeated or down on yourself because it could bring the rest of the team down.
Aubrey:聽A mistake I鈥檝e made was not having faith in myself. I would sometimes compare myself to other players and think I wasn’t good enough to be on the court. Now I try to trust my skill set and the work I have put into improving my personal game. I try to have a positive mindset.
Anything else you鈥檇 like to add?
Gabby: I鈥檓 so thankful for the experiences volleyball has given me, it鈥檚 such a big part of my life throughout the year. I鈥檝e met some of my best friends playing this sport. I have also had some really great mentors along the way. They have taught me not only volleyball skills but many life skills as well. My parents have been my biggest supporters throughout my volleyball journey and I know that without them I wouldn鈥檛 be the player I am today.聽 I thank God for giving me the ability and talent to play the sport I love.
Aubrey: I am really lucky to be a part of such a fun sport. I love that I get the opportunity to play this sport with my sister. The coaches in my life have been really encouraging and helped me grow into the player I am today. My parents are the best supporters of me and my sister. They have always encouraged us to be the best versions of ourselves and to always try our hardest.
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