Volleyball. A game that requires high endurance, a strong stamina, and the ability to work well with a team. After an absence of a few years another Ladwig has made there way onto the varsity volleyball courts. The catch? She’s only in eighth grade.
At the age of ten, Annie Ladwig started attending some volleyball camps after having seen both her mom and sister play. She liked how the sport looked so gave it a try herself.
“I watched my sister and I liked it,” Ladwig said.
At age 12, Ladwig started playing competitively on teams. She also made a club volleyball team in the Twin Cities to play on during the off season. As an eighth grader, she made the high school varsity team, which is one of her biggest accomplishments to date.
“I get to play with older girls and competition that’s higher up,” Ladwig said. “Which makes it more fun.”
With her family being one of the big reasons she began playing volleyball, they also come in as her big supporters. Because she is home schooled this year, and she doesn’t have her driver’s license, her parents drive her to practices and attend all of the games. During the off season when she plays in the Twin Cities, her parents drive her there two to three times a week.
“They drive me to practice all the time,” Ladwig said.
As the middle blocker, who also happens to stand at the height of most of the team, she offers many things to her team. Head volleyball coach Jamie Mauseth made the decision to put Ladwig on the team because she has a good attitude and a vast knowledge of volleyball for her age.
“Annie has well developed skills for an eighth grader,” Mauseth said.
Another thing Ladwig is known for on the courts is her positive attitude. Most of the time she prefers to stay positive even if there is a mistake made, and believes the team can come back even if they are losing.
“She’s positive, pushes her teammates and never gives up,” Mauseth said.
Teammate Sarah Heijerman likes having Ladwig on the team because she is always there to cheer everyone on and there for support. Heijerman also thinks she has advanced skills for her age.
“Annie is always a really positive and upbeat person, ” Heijerman said.
All members of the team enjoy having Ladwig on the team and Ladwig likes being on the team just as much. A big thing for her is that no one has complained about her being “just an eighth grader” and everyone has been supportive of her.
“They’re the best teammates I could ask for,” Ladwig said.
Back when ten year old Annie Ladwig sat watching her sister in the stands, one couldn’t have guessed that in a few short years, she herself would be out playing on the varsity courts. With the skills she possesses, many would not believe she was that young. At the next volleyball game, look for number 10 carrying on her family’s favorite sport, volleyball.