During her freshman season,
Westfield Senior Outside Hitter Sammy Spees made history, becoming the only freshman to make the varsity squad during Jim Bour’s tenure as Head Coach. Over the past three seasons, Spees has played in 181 games, and has recorded 571 kills, 539 digs, and 73 aces. In fact, during her freshman and sophomore seasons, Spees helped lead Westfield to back-to-back Region Championships, and made the all-Tournament teams both years. After a disappointing loss to Stone Bridge during last season Region Tournament, Spees is looking to close out her senior season on a high note. FSN’s Monika Moore recently caught up with Spees. Here’s what she had to say:
MM: You have the distinction of being the only freshman to make Westfield’s varsity squad during the six years that Jim Bour has been Head Coach. What was it like being on the varsity squad your freshman year?Sammy Spees: It was such a great experience. Going into try-outs, I knew that he had never taken any freshmen. I was hoping I would make the team, but I didn’t know what to expect since I didn’t really know him. I was so happy when I made it. I was surprised, happy, and excited -- all at the same time.
MM: How do you think that being on the varsity team over the past three years has helped you step into the leadership role that you will have as a senior this year?Sammy Spees: I think now that I am the person on the team that has been there the longest, I probably know our coaches the best out of anyone on the team. They know me and I’m comfortable. I’ve been around, and I’ve learned, so now that I am someone who has so much experience, I show other people what to do.
MM: Your freshman and sophomore seasons, Westfield won the Region Tournament. Last year, however, you suffered a loss to Stone Bridge during the first round of Regionals. How disappointing was that?Sammy Spees: It was really upsetting. My freshman and sophomore years, we were so good. We went so far and did so well, so it was hard not to go as far the year after.
MM: Is your team using that loss as a motivational factor this year?Sammy Spees: Absolutely. Because of last season, I think a lot of us are working a lot harder to make sure that nothing like that happens because we want to put ourselves in the best position to win. We have that on our minds because we were all so upset last season when it ended so early.
MM: In that vein, did you all do anything together this summer as a team to help prepare for this season?Sammy Spees: Some of the girls went to a Maryland camp, which wasn’t mandatory, but I was out of town during that time. There were a few other little camps, and we also had open gym during the summer.
MM: What are your goals for the season?Sammy Spees: This is my last season for Westfield, which is really hard to believe. I just want to finish this season knowing that I did everything I could for my team and work really hard and leave it all out on the court.
MM: What do you view as your biggest strengths as a player?Sammy Spees: My attitude on the court probably. The sole reason I play like I do is because of my team and my coaches. Having a good attitude really helps you and everyone else around you. It brings people together. Staying positive really helps everyone.
MM: Are there particular aspects of your game that you are really focusing on improving this year?Sammy Spees: There is nothing specific. I’m just [looking to improve] my game all-around.
MM: Which games on your schedule do you think will be toughest for your team this season?Sammy Spees: It is always fun to play Centreville because they are like our rival team. We beat them, and then they beat us, and it goes back and forth all of the time. That will be a really exciting game. And I’m excited to play some teams outside [Fairfax] County that we don’t really know.
MM: Who from your team do you feel has really stood out in practice so far and is going to be a huge contributor this fall?Sammy Spees: We have a lot of seniors on our team this year. I think we have nine, and we have a huge team. I think we have about sixteen people. I really couldn’t tell you one person who stands out to me. It really is all of us --the defensive player that passes the ball, the setter that sets the ball, and the hitter that hits it – not one person can make a team. It’s everyone working together.
MM: Do you play for a club team in the area?
Sammy Spees: I play for Clash Volleyball. I’ve played for them for five years.
MM: How has participating with your club team helped you become a stronger player for your Westfield team?Sammy Spees: With my club team, I’ve always played up [a level], so I’ve played with higher ages than what I am. Club is a completely different experience. You travel all around, and you practice all the time and are at tournaments almost every weekend. So I think that being a part of something like that, at such a high level of competition, has prepared me for my high school seasons.
All photos in this story courtesy of Susan Spencer of PerfectShotPhotos
