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Harrell siblings create volleyball legacy
Photo Credit: Veronica Wyman
Junior Erica Harrell, senior Mary Harrell, sophomore Susan Harrell
Written by Veronica Wyman, Co-Editor-in-Chief
As of this year, another Harrell sister joins the family legacy that continues to live on through the volleyball program. Senior Mary, junior Erica and sophomore Susan Harrell each cycled through teams within PISD dating back to their elementary school years, keeping the sport a constant part of their lives. Though uncommon for three siblings to enroll repeatedly in the same campus activity, these athletes break the usual protocol. The Harrell family continues to hold a strong participation in the volleyball program for four straight years in counting.
Mary started this family trend when she made the varsity team as a freshman in 2006, and her two younger sisters followed suit, both members of the junior varsity team this school year.
“Mary got us started in volleyball,” Erica said. “I followed her because she was my older sister, but I ended up really liking it. I didn’t know volleyball existed until Mary started playing. So I probably wouldn’t be playing today if it weren’t for Mary. Hopefully, I will be good enough to play in college and get a scholarship.”
As Erica holds high hopes for her future in the sport, her sister Susan discovers her passion for volleyball as well through the influence of her oldest sister.
“Having Mary already playing volleyball opened up more opportunities for Erica and me,” Susan said. “Also, all of our friends were in it too, and we got the chance to travel. It was just something fun to do.”
Since Mary’s sisters credit her for their involvement on the court, she feels the responsibility to guide them through their first stages of the game. Though Mary no longer plays volleyball, she still believes that the sport brought them together through time.
“I knew a lot more than they did, so I just tried to help them out when they first started playing,” Mary said. “Volleyball has definitely bonded us. It was fun when we were all playing together, but it’s hard sometimes seeing your little sisters show you up. But it was cool because we always had someone to enjoy it with. Playing together motivated us because we all are really competitive. We were always striving to be the best, which just made us even better players.”
Over the course of the past few years playing volleyball, the Harrells not only learned a lot about the game but about each other as well. Erica and Susan continue to look up to their older sister for support and advice throughout their volleyball careers, just as they showed for her during her early years in the sport.
“My sisters support me a lot, I can say that,” Mary said. “My freshman year when I was on varsity they used to always come and support me. They came to every game. They never missed one. They would always come to my club tournaments too. Although I don’t like to admit it, I am proud of my sisters.”
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