Getting to Know Our CAC Volleyball Girls

See What Fires Them Up!

Vaquero Volleyball Girls

Jonathan Jimenez, Cactus Writer
September 26, 2015

It was my last question of the evening but it yielded what I thought was the best response of our interview. As I wrapped up our discussion, I asked the ladies: “What is something you’d like for our community to know about you?” Their response was firm and unanimous, “We want to win!” leaving no question about their goals for the upcoming season.

With the Vaquero Volleyball season approaching quickly, the first home game being on September 9, we thought we’d get to know some of the girls on the team. With the help of Coach Shingler, I was able to sit down with a couple of sophomores on the team, Karson and Bailey, as well as one freshman, Shelby. In my interview with these ladies, I got to learn some of their background, some personal interests and also some of their aspirations.

Karson Bisharat is 19 years old and originates from Sacramento, California. She hopes to pay for the costs of college with volleyball. Before a game she likes to eat apples and peanut butter while she gets into her zone listening to some electric music. She has been playing volleyball for about 8 years and with two older sisters (32 and 22) as well as a younger brother, she has plenty of support from her family. Her younger brother, who is a senior in high school, is committed to Stanford Football and they share a mutual backing for each other. Karson draws a huge inspiration from her friend’s sister Zoe Nightingale. Zoe played volleyball at UCLA and as a freshman won the national title in 2011. Beyond volleyball, Karson hopes to get into the field of business management.

Raised in Banning, California, Bailey Crenshaw is also 19 years old and also wishes to pay for her tuition with volleyball. She has played volleyball for 6 years now and receives support from her family of 2 older brothers and one younger sister that is in high school. Getting into the zone for her includes a pre-game helping of beef jerky while listening to some Eminem to get her hyped up. An idol of hers is NBA superstar and newly crowned champion Steph Curry. She is also a big fan of ice hockey and grew up an L.A. Kings fan. After volleyball, Bailey hopes to become an engineer of some sort. She is still undecided as to what type of engineer she’d like to become.

Shelby Apodaca of Safford, Arizona, is the lone freshman that I interviewed. She has played volleyball since she was in middle school, however, she has been in a volleyball environment her whole life as her mother is a high school volleyball coach. Another sport she likes as well is basketball, an admirer of NBA superstar Blake Griffin. Before a game she likes to listen to some PARTYNEXTDOOR. She can’t enjoy a meal however as she views a meal as “all or nothing” and she’d rather not go into a match with a full stomach. Drawing inspiration from NCAA volleyball phenom Destinee hooker, Shelby made it clear that she’s got D1 volleyball in her crosshairs.

These ladies were all super friendly and overall we had a great time talking to each other. They all have their own different objectives aside from the sport, however, they let it be known that their unit is a force to be reckoned with on the court. Ambition as well as a strong backing from their families drives these girls to their ultimate goal of getting over last season’s hump and becoming conference champions and more. There is no doubt in my mind that these ladies will work hard to make our school proud, so be sure to support our CAC volleyball team this season!

Entertainment

Tis the Season to Give