Heritage High School volleyball season is coming to the end and finishing on a good note. It’s also the end of high school volleyball for these senior varsity players moving on to the next chapter in their life.

Dede Basa (12) started playing volleyball in sixth grade and has played until his senior year of high school. He plans on playing in college. Basa has received a few offers and is deciding which college is best for him. For Basa, the hardest part about volleyball is mental focus.

“It’s the mental aspect of the game, because if you get in your head, then that will cause problems for your team and yourself,” said Basa.

Basa enjoys the team aspect of playing volleyball. He thinks of them as family. He enjoys practicing and playing games with the team, and has made amazing memories over the years he has played.

Christian Basa(12) is a varsity player who began playing volleyball in sixth grade and kept going with the sport. Basa was more motivated when he saw how much his teammates were putting into the sport.

“As of this year my favorite thing is probably being with my teammates because even though we’re all seniors, we all know each other well. We’ve known each other all through high school and some through middle school. I think that connection helps with playing volleyball,” said Basa. Basa prepares himself by listening to music. When it comes to playing, he starts stretching and getting into his mindset to do the best he can.

Alex Auldridge (12), varsity, started playing volleyball because when he was younger, he found an interest in the sport.

“I started playing volleyball because I found it entertaining and it was more of a team-based sport. I liked basketball, which I used to play, and it seemed like you had to be more involved in the game. It wasn’t just a one man sport,” said Auldridge.

Before a game, Auldridge looks out in the court and visualizes himself playing. This is how he gets himself into the right mindset.

“I evision myself just playing and just try to prep myself, knowing that there going to be mistakes, but I just have to get through it,” said Auldridge.

Advice Auldridge would give to a new player is when the coaches are talking to you and trying to correct you, take it into account and try to implement it into the game. The coaches aren’t trying to make your game worse, they’re always trying to better you.

Heritage High School Men’s Varsity ended off with a great season making it to NCS and winning games. They held their heads high and kept going strong and made great memories this season.