Jordan Feltrop is the only graduating senior this year on the volleyball team.
As the only player carrying this title, her expectations are high.
“This year I will be the only senior on the team,” Feltrop said. “I just try to be the best leader I can be and make the best of it.”
Her leadership skills, her far reaching goals, and her personal qualities make the weight on her shoulders a lot easier to hold.
“She’s a great listener. I can always count on her to let me get my problems out,” junior Libby Looney said. “I’ve known Jordan since the fifth grade and have been playing with her for two years now.”
Looney explains how Feltrop has always encouraged her to do her best.
“She’s been my best friend for years and she has always pushed me to do better and helped me build up my weaker skills,” said Looney.
Volleyball is a fairly new sport to SHS.
The team has taken twists and turns through wins, losses, coaches, and new players every year.
With the look of it, and playing it in P.E. some, Feltrop decided to try out for the team 3 years ago.
However, much has changed between her starting year and now.
“Ms. Brown was the coach when I first joined the team, and last year Coach Emberson took her spot. With getting the new coach last year, it hasn’t really affected me at all,” Feltrop explains.
Volleyball is more than just hitting a ball back and forth over a net; personal and life lessons were revealed to Feltrop by playing.
“It definitely taught me many things. It taught me that anything I want takes work and dedication,” Feltrop said.
Feltrop shows that it is a great way to take out her frustrations, just by getting a volleyball and hitting it over the net.
These lessons have also shown through according to Looney.
“Her best quality as a player is how dedicated she is and how she’s always helpful to have what’s best for the team,” Looney replies.
Other than great qualities on the court, her personality is just as admiring.
Her friendships she has developed are proof of that.
“I’ve made many friends since being on this team, which makes playing even more fun.”
Expectations of the volleyball season vary from year to year, yet Feltrop keeps a positive attitude about the team.
“I expect my last year to go great. The dynamic of the new team is looking really good right now!”
Looney is also looking forward to the year, but has other thoughts about it being Feltrop’s senior year.
“It’s sad. She’s the one who got me into volleyball, so thinking about her not being with me after this year is very depressing,” she stated.
These past three years have given Feltrop many privileges on the team.
She has played on the varsity team every year and was co-captain of the junior varsity team her sophomore year and co-captain of the varsity team last year.
Although volleyball has been a huge part of Feltrop’s high school life, she has other goals to pursue in mind.
When she graduates and finishes volleyball, Feltrop plans to go to college and begin in a pre-med program.
“I will possibly play volleyball, softball, and continue singing in a choir, but I’m wanting to go on to medical school and eventually become an OBGYN,” Feltrop explained.
Even though she will be gone next year, her spirit for the team will not die down.
Feltrop has a few words of advice she will leave with her team when she graduates.
“Keep working hard. The program is improving at Searcy every year. Keep your heads up and one day we will be a force to reckoned with,” Feltrop concludes with a smile.
