When junior Aaniya Thornton, the libero on the varsity volleyball team, came to McCallum her sophomore year, she immediately earned a sport on the varsity and made an impact on the team. She started playing volleyball when she was only in third grade and has been playing ever since.

“Coming from a different school and different district, McCallum volleyball has welcomed me with open arms,” Thornton said. 

Thornton’s main supporters are her mom, grandma and one of her coaches, Coach Timothy Molten whom she calls Coach T.

“I would definitely consider him one of the reasons why I’m playing volleyball,” Thornton said.

Coach T has been Thornton’s private trainer since elementary school. Thornton goes to him for private lessons and advice. 

“My mom and grandma have been a good support system since a very young age,” Thornton said, “and Coach T is always giving me support and cheering me on when I need it.”

McCallum’s head volleyball coach, Amy Brodbeck, admires Thornton’s passing skills and leadership.

“She has done a fantastic job of passing the ball in serve receive,” Brodbeck said. “She also does a tremendous job of digging, especially against powerful hitters, and she [always] seems to pick up and know where to go.” 

One of Thornton’s close friends inside and outside of volleyball is junior Kafia Jackson-Woods. Thornton and Jackson-Woods have been friends since they were in sixth grade and play together on the varsity volleyball team.

“Aaniya is very verbal on the court, and she is a good leader,” Jackson-Woods said.

Both Brodbeck and Jackson-Woods said that Thornton’s strengths include her focus on the game and her calm demeanor on the court.

“I would say she’s very good at telling me what seems to be open when I’m hitting,” Jackson-Woods said, “and she never shows emotion on the court.”

Brodbeck agreed.

“Her attitude is always the same no matter what,” Brodbeck said. “She’s not going to be the one who’s yelling and screaming. She will call out where to hit and where the ball is landing.”

Thornton started playing club after only one year of volleyball experience and now plays at Austin Juniors on the 17 Molten team.

“Playing club compared to school is very different because, in club, we’ll have two to three games each day instead of one over two to three days,” Thornton said.

Thornton talked about how competition varies in club similarly to how it varies for school.

“Sometimes you play really good teams that are highly competitive, and the games are fast and fun,” Thornton said. “Then there’s the slow games where you find yourself zoning out but still having to play.” 

Club volleyball has opened new opportunities for Thornton and new experiences as well.

“I’ve gotten to travel a lot,” Thornton said, “and club has helped me gain confidence as a volleyball player.” 

Coaches play a large part in volleyball at any level, and playing club volleyball helps players experience different kinds of coaching.

“I’ve gained different coaching experiences from very calm coaches to very high [intensity], competitive coaches, which is good because in college you never know what type of coach you’re going to get,” Thornton said.

Thornton plays the libero position, which requires a lot of strength and agility. This position is special because it is a strictly back-row position, and usually the player who has the best ball control and consistency in passing the ball to the setter plays that position. 

“When I first started playing volleyball, my position was a setter and right side until I was told I was too short,” Thornton said. “I transitioned to a libero, and I like the position because it has the primary responsibility of setting the pace of the game.”

Thornton talked about how communication and leadership are essential skills for a libero. 

“They organize the backcourt defense and provide real-time direction to teammates,” Thornton said.

The role allows Thornton to be a leader for her teammates on the court.

Next year will be Thornton’s senior year and she hopes the Knights take home the district title and continue on to conquer playoffs.

“I am looking forward to a good senior season,” Thornton said. “I hope we win district, bi-district, and area and continue on playoffs.”