By Chris Cox

North Rock Creek junior Ally Mahaffey got her first taste of volleyball in elementary school when she would watch her older sister, Abby, play.

“I had only played softball and basketball before but something about it was just really exciting to watch,” she says. “It was pretty high intensity during the points and that’s what got me.”

While Abby might have had a big impact on getting Ally onto the court, it’s her teammates that keep her going today.

“For me, it’s my teammates,” she says. “I just love the energy we create. It’s just really good.”

Ally is a defensive specialist for the Lady Cougars. To be a good DS, you must be willing to sacrifice and let others get the highlights.

“Volleyball is definitely a mind game, especially for a passer,” she says. “When you get stuck in a rut and you mess up, it’s important to get yourself out of that hole. It is a mental game, and you have to be good about that.”

One thing that Mahaffey says helps her with the mental side of volleyball, is golf.

“I also play golf at North Rock Creek,” she says. “They are completely different sports but I think golf helps me become more independent and helps me focus on my specific job in volleyball. It also helps me move on, forget about my mistakes, and get ready for the next point.”

While Mahaffey and her teammates want to win, she says her main goal is to be an example and show others the right way to play.

“I’m not the loudest person,” she admits. “I just try to be an example and be kind and include everyone. I want to be someone others can look up to.”

To build on that, Mahaffey says it’s about showing good character on and off the court.

“I just try to be a good person and kind in every aspect of my life,” she says. “I try to be reliable, encouraging, and positive.”

Outside of volleyball and golf, Mahaffey stays busy with a multitude of clubs and organizations.

“I am in student council and BPA (Business Professionals of America),” she says. “I am also going to be in art club this year and NHS.”