San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
HELIX HIGH BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYER USES SPEED, SMARTS
When Arianna Washington watched the Olympic Games women’s volleyball on TV, she was enthralled. Especially beach volleyball.
It really didn’t occur to her that all the players had one thing in common: they averaged about 6 feet, 2 inches tall.
Although Washington stands a foot shorter, when Helix High coach Isabel Lopez-fletes asked her if she wanted to try out for the beach volleyball team two years ago, she jumped at the opportunity.
Back then, though, the school played in an unofficial league with a lot of schools that just weren’t ready to commit to participating at the CIF-SAN Diego Section level.
They are now. Joining the Metro Conference with fellow Grossmont Conference school Steele Canyon, the Scotties will face Castle Park, Eastlake, Mar
Vista, Montgomery, Olympian and Otay Ranch in the newest of the section sports.
So far, so good, as Helix opened the season 3-0 with Washington playing the No. 1 doubles spot with 5-8 Kaylie Smith.
“Arianna makes up for her lack of height by being very fast and placing the ball right where she wants it,” said Lopez-fletes, who along with her daughter Alina, guide the Scotties. “She is an outstanding defensive player, something you don’t see that much in beach volleyball.
“Because of her speed, she gets to the ball and because she’s smart, she can figure out where the ball is going most of the time. I believe she can play at the next level.”
That’s what Washington, a senior, is hoping to do as her 4.51 GPA virtually guarantees she will have the opportunity. She’s looking at Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Northridge and San Diego State, where she’ll major in computer science.
“Yes, I hope to play at the next level if the school I select offers it,” said Washington, 17. “If not, I’ll play intramural beach volleyball.
“I credit playing volleyball, indoor and beach, with allowing me to be more extrovertish. I was very quiet, super introvertish, embarrassed to talk when I started but in beach volleyball, you can’t be quiet, you have to communicate with your partner.
“Because of beach volleyball, I’ve built my confidence so I’m no longer uncomfortable expressing myself, it isn’t a hindrance. I never wanted to be overwhelming or overbearing. The one thing I learned is mistakes happen, especially on the court, but you need to make mistakes to grow.”
To this day, Chatty Cathy she isn’t, but when she has something to say she’s not afraid to say it, while at the same time making sure she still listens carefully.
Washington’s emergence started when she played indoor volleyball, which she liked but not like she enjoyed beach volleyball where the court is a bit smaller than a regulation indoor court. The net is still 7 feet, 4 inches high, meaning you won’t see her going up to hammer the ball.
“Instead of slamming it, I manipulate the ball to where the opponents leave holes,” said Washington. “I try to confuse people and sure, the opponents think they can pick on me because I’m not as tall as they are. I hit smart shots because I know there’s only so much space they can cover.”
“I play deep and one match I tried to anticipate where the ball was going before they hit it. That didn’t work very well … now I just react based on certain tendencies.
“I’m so grateful to have a teammate like Kylie. I’ve only been working with her the last few weeks but it’s a great fit.”
Washington tries to balance volleyball, academics and a senior project that really isn’t one because COVID cut back on that activity.
“I build community gardens,” explained Washington, noting that it would have been her senior project if she had one. “We build garden boxes (9 feet by 4 feet) and plant things like herbs or small vegetables. There are very few community gardens but they’re important for those who don’t have a lot of space. My grandma has a beautiful garden at her house and that’s what gave me the idea.”
Washington manages to balance everything and still have fun playing beach volleyball.
“I love beach volleyball,” said Washington. “For me it’s a perfect fit.”
Even at 5-foot-2.