by Trina Walker
Volleyball isn’t the first sport Trinnati Allen tried to play. It is the best.

“My mom kept trying to put me in basketball and I just wasn’t going for it,” she says, “ so mom put me in the volleyball program for my local YMCA and from there I just fell in love with the sport.”

Trinnati is no longer a nine-year-old YMCA player. She is a Junior at Midwest City High School where volleyball is her passion. “I am very passionate about my sport because I feel as though I’ve worked hard to get to where I am now, and I thrive for more each day,” she says.

Being on a team is about building connections and picking one another up. “We are more than friends, we are like sisters that don’t have the same parents.”

Trinnati is thankful to her team for sticking with her no matter what. “We may have our ups and downs but when we are playing together it is like there is no one on the court but us,” she says.

Trinnati is most inspired by her mom. “We may bump heads sometimes but I know that she will always be there for me,” she says, “everything I do is for her.”

Jade Singleton is a teammate Trinnati looks up to. She says Jade is a great setter who overcame adversity and is always optimistic.

She admires her school for its’ support of student activities. Trinnati gives back by being a student leader at Midwest City. Trinnati is a member of STUCO and leadership. She is running for junior class president this year and manages Midwest City girl’s basketball team.

Trinnati finds confidence in the following advice. “Stay like me, stay unique.” This reminds her to always be herself no matter what.