She’s thankful she chose to join the volleyball team over band when both opportunities presented themselves in middle school.
“I started playing volleyball in the seventh grade. I was going to do band over volleyball. My friends convinced me to do athletics instead, and I fell in love with it, “ said Haley Hutchison, senior and middle blocker for the Javelinas volleyball teams.
Because of her choice to become an athlete, she’s created memories she’ll never forget – like becoming the Block Record holder and winning the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II National Championship with the beach volleyball team last year.
She gained the block record when she made her 487th block during the semifinals of the conference tournament against Texas A&M University-Commerce.
“It was awesome [to get the record]. We were playing great and it was a huge success for me. After having positions changed, I didn’t think I could get it, but I did anyway,” she said.
Head coach Tanya Allen said the accomplishments are well deserved.
“It’s been great having her on the team. She’s been a good player for four years and she’s definitely improved a lot over the course of that four years. Obviously, she’d made a huge impact on the program. She’s surpassed my expectations,” Allen said.
She’s contributed to Javelina volleyball and beach volleyball for four years. Hutchison has just wrapped up her last indoor season as a Javelina. She is now heading into her last beach volleyball season, and she has high expectations for the outdoor season.
“I think last [outdoor] season we learned that we can compete with D1 universities. We can compete and beat D1 schools. This year, I want to make it to nationals and win it again! I also think we can rank national among D1 schools, too,” Hutchison said.
Assistant Coach Joseph Morales commented on the way Hutchison stepped up immediately when she first stepped on Javelina courts.
“I think it’s been great having her on the team. When we recruited her, she’s one of the ones that came in and she played middle for the majority of her career here and she was one of those players that had to come in and step up right away,” Morales said.
If there is one word to describe Hutchison, it has to be work ethic, Coach Morales said.
“She’s done a phenomenal job and one thing is, she always worked hard for what she’s accomplished. Everything has been work ethic for her. She wasn’t the most athletic in the gym or the one that jumped the highest, or the fastest, but she persevered and worked for everything she has,” Morales said.
Hutchison described one of the most memorable moments in her career as a Javelina.
“Beating Angelo State in the conference tournament this past year and competing really hard with Commerce right after [was a great memory]. [Angelo] was at the top of our conference during that game. We lost a lot of players, but everyone played hard, no animosity, we all came together and played really well,” she said.
Hutchison’s biggest motivation is her mom because she always helps her to be better on and off the court.
Both coaches wish her luck in her future endeavors and plan on dominating with her in the last beach volleyball season of her career.
“I want to wish her the best in whatever she does. I want her to succeed, to continue her work ethic. I know she’s going to have good things to come in her future,” Morales said.