An Underdog on the Rise: Sydney Keslin

Sydney Keslin defines reality and motivates herself to earn a spot on the Penn Varsity Volleyball team.

Powerhouse Sydney Keslin overcame the odds this season with her motivation. The 5’ 8″ junior plays a huge role in the Penn High School Varsity Volleyball team this year.

Keslin’s motivation started way back in the season in June when the volleyball team started their summer workouts. 6-8 AM was no match for the skill that Keslin brought to the table.

“During summer workouts, it’s a very intense couple of months of conditioning and training, getting the team a good jumpstart before the season officially begins. Working at 110% at summer workouts shows the coaches who is willing to put in the extra effort to go that extra mile to hustle and get the ball up or execute during a long rally. It is also important to give 110% because it shows your potential teammates who will have their back on the court and it helps form the chemistry needed to have the team fully engaged with one another, trusting each other in order to play together at the best of our ability as a team,” Keslin said.

Having experience with this team in the past year while swinging on varsity gave her an advantage over the other girls. While at summer workouts Keslin pushes herself to make a varsity spot under two previous varsity starters.

Keslin mentions the ways that she stays motivated and keeps pushing for a starting Varsity spot.

“Having two people above me in my same position has motivated me to become a better player and work harder because it gives me more of a reason to drive winning a starting spot. Everyday at practice putting in 110% effort to try and prove myself and beat out my fellow teammates for that starting spot. Working hard inside and outside the gym is key and what keeps me motivated to keep pushing and working hard each and every day,” said Keslin.

Having been driven for this starting spot, Keslin continues to prove herself over and over again on the court. Her hard work and motivation paid off, rewarding her with a spot on the varsity team as an outside.

“Sydney blocked everyone out and proved herself this season, being a great teammate and player is an understatement for her. She was determined and nothing went unnoticed. She motivates the underclassmen in her footsteps,” said Junior Delanie Cromartie.

Keslin exclaims that volleyball is a huge part of her life and who she is so having motivation to stay in her sport and play at the highest level is something that she was happy to compete for. She never once gave up on herself and drove herself to get better and make sure the people around her saw the improvement too.

She has racked up a .353% hitting percentage this season and is a key factor in the Penn Volleyball team factory this year. Keslin and her team are soon to wrap up the conference season and start on their state-run. The volleyball team being 18-5 comes off a strong season going into sectionals, and Keslin emphasizes, “We are very strong this year and are striving for our sectional and regional championships soon.”