Hollye Verret, a Chickasha High School junior, plays middle blocker for the Fightin’ Chicks volleyball team.

“Representing my school is a lot of fun, and I love doing it,” Verret said.

It’s no wonder she has fun doing it — she’s pretty good at it. She’s been starting on varsity since she got to CHS. If you ask Verret, acquiring talent requires “a lot of hard work and dedication and just showing up to practice with a good attitude.”

Iron sharpens iron; Verret looks to first challenge herself by taking on her best teammates on the court.

“I enjoy beating Baylee Ryans the most, because you know you’re working really hard when you are able to beat her ‘cause she is an amazing player. I enjoy working with Liberty because she gives me a challenge during practice with our height difference, and it’s just fun to work with her,” Verret said. “I feel the least appreciated is Justice Miracle because she is such an amazing and hard-working player, and she doesn’t get the appreciation she deserves.”

Verret also sharpens her game playing with 405 Blanchard in the off-season. She’s a volleyball savant, citing the University of Nebraska’s Harper Murray as one of her favorite Instagram accounts.

“She’s an amazing player, and it’s a goal of mine to play on a college volleyball team,” Verret said.

Verret wouldn’t have reached the heights she has reached (and continues to push) without the help of several adults, starting with her first set of mentors.

“My biggest role models would have to be my mom and sisters, because they have always been there for me no matter what and always cheering me on, and I’ve always looked up to them and wanted to be like them and make them proud,” Verret said. “The [favorite] teacher would have to be Mr. Steele. He is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had, and he always has a conversation with you every day to make sure you’re good, and he would always ask how our games went.”