Q&A with Ardrey Kell volleyball player Jackson Blauer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Q&A with Jackson Blauer who is a volleyball player for the Ardrey Kell Knights.
Grade: 11th
Years in current sport: 2 Years
Team/s: Ardrey Kell High School Men鈥檚 Volleyball Team, PEAK Men鈥檚 Club Team
How did you first get into volleyball?
Jackson Blauer: Ardrey Kell HS started a Men鈥檚 Volleyball Team for the 2022-2023 season for the first time in school history. My sister played volleyball in middle school so I had developed an interest and learned from her. I decided to try out for the school team and made the team for its inaugural season. After my first season, I joined a travel team and I earned a spot on my Varsity team as a setter this season.
What is a memorable moment or achievement?
Blauer: We won our most competitive game against Porter Ridge HS in March. We won 3-2 with each set going back and forth and three out of the five sets going to extra points. The feeling of winning a 2.5-hour game (normally 1.5 hours) was like no other.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Blauer: My high school coach鈥檚, Zoe Bell, quote of the season is, 鈥淏eing ready is not a feeling, but a decision.鈥� In volleyball and all other aspects of my life, I strive to make the decision to be ready and give everything my all every day.
How do you balance school and training?
Blauer: I believe being a student athlete has really taught me time management. I have school practice almost every weekday, school games most Tuesdays and Thursdays, travel volleyball practices Monday and Wednesday nights, and monthly weekend tournaments for my travel volleyball team. I have learned to have a set schedule for getting my school work done. This helps me to ensure that I have set aside time to solely focus on my work and get everything I need to get done. It is certainly a challenge to balance everything but I am learning a valuable lesson I will carry with me throughout my life.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Blauer: In my free time, I love to be active. I play lots of other sports including basketball. I love to camp, fish, hike, backpack, or do pretty much anything outdoors. My friends mean a lot to me and I spend a lot of time talking and hanging out with them. I am very active in my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) and I am currently working towards my Eagle Rank in Scouts, which is a goal of mine.
Who do you look up to for inspiration?
Blauer: My Grandpa is a role model for me. He is a successful doctor and businessman who loves his job. It inspires me how he helps so many people through his work. I have learned how to love your family and work hard, from him. He has taught me the importance of education and through this, he has contributed to my love and passion for Duke, as he went to Duke for his MBA. He is a great man and I would love to be able to say I am half the man that he is when I am older.
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