On October 21st, the HSE Girl’s Volleyball team’s postseason run came to an end after a hard-fought defeat against Westfield. Despite this loss, the girls all played defiantly throughout the season, showing determination, sportsmanship and resilience in each and every game.
Even with the season now over, the HSE girl’s volleyball team found themselves in the spotlight once again as four of their seniors were awarded Indiana High School Volleyball Coach’s Association (IHSCVA) Academic All-State Honors:
- Mia Walpole (12) – Gold Award
- Jasmine Daniels (12) – Silver Award
- Madi Miles (12) – Silver
- Bre Morgan (12) – Silver Award
The IHSVCA Academic All-States Honors Awards recognizes senior volleyball players who excel both on the court and in the classroom. To be eligible for an Academic All-States Honor Award, athletes must be an active member of the school’s volleyball program, be a senior, and have a minimum weighted GPA of 3.5. Gold awards are awarded to athletes with a weighted GPA of 3.75 or higher, and the silver award is given to athletes with a weighted GPA between 3.5 and 3.75. These awards highlight the HSE volleyball girls’ dedication to both their studies and athletic pursuits.
Being honored with an Academic All-State award is not an easy task. For the four senior girls to achieve these awards, all would have had to perform highly at an academic and athletic level, which is exactly what they did. This demonstration of commitment, perseverance, and dedication has left a lasting mark on the HSE girl’s volleyball program.
When asked about the recognition, Senior and Gold Award recipient Mia Walpole reflected on what this honor meant to her:
“I feel honored and proud to receive this recognition,” Walpole said. “It’s rewarding to see the hard work I’ve put into both my academics and volleyball pay off.”
When Mia was asked if the recognition came as a surprise, she responded, “No. I’ve always made it a priority to excel in the classroom as much as I do on the court. I’ve worked hard to maintain high standards in both my academics and athletics, so this recognition feels like a reflection of that effort.”
Walpole credits her ability to manage time and the never-ending support as the key to helping her balance both roles: “I balanced everything by staying organized and having good time management. Having a strong support system from my teammates, coaches, and family helped me keep both my grades and performance consistent.”
The IHSVCA Academic All-State recognitions marks a fitting conclusion to an impressive season and post-season run for the Royals, demonstrating the team’s ongoing commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics.
