Player Spotlight

Gracen Cavitt

14s Setter/ Opposite

When did you start playing volleyball and why?

I started playing when I was 10. My mom played volleyball, so I wanted to try it too. I loved it, and I've been playing ever since

What position do you play, and what do you love most about it?
I play setter and right side. As a right side, I love being able to hit and the feeling you get from a kill. As a setter, my favorite thing is going for the out-of-system sets, especially when the assist leads to a kill. There's something really satisfying about being in the middle of all the action and connecting the pieces together as a team. I also love being able to see my team so happy because of the hit they got off of my set.

How do you hope to grow as a player?
Since this is my first year in club, I have a lot of goals to work towards but this is one of my biggest. I want to be able to handle harder plays and a higher level of competition, and I want to be a teammate my team can feel confident with and rely on.

What's one skill you've improved the most this season?
It's hard to pick just one because I feel like I've improved a lot, but the things that really stand out are my speed getting to the ball, my reaction time, and my decision-making when I'm setting.

What's your favorite tournament snack?
Pretzels and hummus with some rolled-up turkey.

What volleyball player do you look up to the most?
My cousin Lily. She plays club for Houston Skyline 16 White and her encouragement was a huge reason I decided to try out for club this year. She's a really great player and has been a big inspiration to me and I look forward to seeing where we both get.

What advice would you give to younger players like you who want to start playing volleyball?
Don't be afraid to mess up. Every good player has made a ton of mistakes and volleyball is a game of mistakes so it is perfectly normal to mess up. Having the right mindspace to play is such a hard task to achieve when on the court and I really want everyone to know that you are a great player no matter what you tell yourself.