If you read the article about the Volleyball Coach, you’d know that Diya Patel is his daughter and one of his inspirations for playing volleyball, but the influence goes both ways.

“I chose to play volleyball because my dad grew up playing it and continues to play,” said Patel. “I believe seeing him play when I was younger was where my interest came from. She started playing the sport over seven years ago, has played every year in high school and has served since her sophomore year as team captain.

“I have played for Vacaville Extreme and Club Solano,” she said. She expects to play in college, too, perhaps at the intermural or club level. Her plan is to go to Stanford and pursue a career in medicine.

Patel is a setter and right side hitter who was affected by the COVID shutdown of the schools. “Last season was a delayed and shortened season, which we had very little time to prepare for. Despite these setbacks and obstacles, my team rose to the challenge and played the best volleyball we had in years,” she said.

That is a feeling she’d like others to enjoy, and for those interested in starting a sport, especially volleyball, she offered this advice: “Give it a try! Even if it’s your first time playing a sport, give it a try. Coaches are always willing to help dedicated individuals learn and improve. And don’t worry about making mistakes because mistakes are what you learn from to succeed.“ She’s looking forward to a fun and competitive season and thinks others would enjoy that anticipation, too.

While volleyball takes up a lot of Patel’s attention, she is much more involved in school than that. “I am involved in Leadership. I am the Senior Class President. I am the Vice President for Skate 4 Change Club and a club officer for Key Club,” Patel said. She has also been taking lessons and playing the piano for over 10 years, and enjoys traveling and watching movies.