Q&A with Weston volleyball player Fielding Mayhugh
WESTON, Mass. — Fielding Mayhugh may only be a sophomore, but she is already making a splash in the volleyball world. Having started playing in middle school, Fielding found herself loving the sport and joining club volleyball in 8th grade. She also loves to play beach volleyball, which she attributes to developing her hard court skills even faster.
Known for her devastating kills, opposing teams actually practice to be able to dig Fielding鈥檚 kills specifically. She also moves around on the court to successfully serve receive and dig others鈥� kills. Further, for the past two years, Fielding has been a major player for one of the top New England volleyball clubs, Smash.
This year, as a starter on Weston High School鈥檚 (WHS) Varsity Volleyball team, Fielding led the team in both kills and digs and played an integral part in bringing the team to the Final Four for the first time in many years. The varsity team tied for first in the DCL Small, and Fielding was named a DCL All-Star for the second year in a row and a member of the MIAA All-State team. At the year-end banquet for WHS鈥� volleyball team, Coach Eileen Leblanc proudly announced that Fielding was the MVP for the season and would be one of the co-captains for the following year.
Congrats, Fielding!
What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?
Fielding Mayhugh: I want to keep improving as an athlete in general. I also always strive to be a great teammate and to better my game every time I鈥檓 on the court. I dream of playing in college.
What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Mayhugh: It鈥檚 a challenge recovering from 鈥榮hanking鈥� balls. I come down on myself hard. But, then, I think about the team and the role I play in it, and it drives me to do better and win the next point.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Mayhugh: Michael Jordan said 鈥業鈥檝e missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I鈥檝e lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I鈥檝e been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I鈥檝e failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.鈥� Hearing this from such a successful athlete is very reassuring and makes me feel better about my mistakes and mess ups. Mistakes help you learn and develop as a player, and I really have to keep this in mind and not be so hard on myself.
What do you love about your sport?
Mayhugh: I love all aspects of volleyball. Getting a good dig or kill is so satisfying. I love how it鈥檚 a non-contact sport, but yet it鈥檚 a competitive and intense game.
Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Mayhugh: Two of the most stressful situations in volleyball are being on serve receive on game point or serving and it鈥檚 the other team鈥檚 game point. I have been in these situations multiple times and have shanked the ball or missed my serve. Every time this has happened, it was because I envisioned myself actually shanking the ball or missing my serve, since that was what I was so worried about. What I have learned is that when you feel good, you play good. I have to stay confident in myself and picture myself making the perfect pass or getting an ace, which will most likely result in that happening.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Mayhugh: Good energy and vibes on the court will cause your team to thrive and play its best. One person can affect the whole team either negatively or positively. Volleyball is a team sport, and you always have to give it your all, if not for yourself, then for your team.
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.