By Taylor Lupetti — Assistant Executive Editor
The intuitive and sensitive Cancer crab is a perfect combination of sweet and sassy.
Freshman middle blocker Haylee Nelson exemplifies those traits every time she steps on the volleyball court.
Nelson first picked up a volleyball when she was in the seventh grade and has been un- able to put it down since.
“I just fell in love with how intense the game is and how it just restarts. Every point, you get a new opportunity to do stuff,” Nelson said. “I fell in love with the character of the game, it’s kind of the funnest sport to play ever.”
At Newark Memorial High School, Nelson played varsity volleyball, softball and basketball for all four years. When it came to choosing which sport she would continue in college, it was never a question.
“I actually did have some offers for basketball but I just love volleyball,” Nelson said. “I’ve always loved basketball since it was my first sport, but I fell in love in volleyball.”
The Cancer is the epitome of family-oriented personalities. There is nothing more important to the crab than those they love.
In Nelson’s life, there are two families – at home and at school, both of which she is fiercely protective.
“Haylee is always talking highly of her family and she loves them dearly,” said teammate and best friend Whitney Barnes. “On the court, she’s definitely pro- tective of us. She’ll do whatever needs to be done on the court to get the job done.”
Nelson’s protective nature also brings out the sass that is always welcomed on the floor.
“I think I have a lot of attitude in a good way, I’m not mean but I’m very aggressive with my words,” she said. “When I say something, I’m gonna believe that I’m right and when you try to prove me wrong, I’m still gonna think that I’m right.”
The middle-blocker’s competitive nature and hardwood attitude was one of the main characteristics that caught head coach Jolene Shepardson’s eye while scouting.
“I just loved how aggressive she was and then we got to know her,” Shepardson said. “I just really liked her personality, how she can be serious and competitive on the court and a fun-loving person off the court.”
Whether it’s being the comic relief or emotional support that everyone needs, Nelson rises to the challenge when times are tough.
“We were going through hard times toward the beginning of the season,” Shepardson said. “Haylee stepped up as a freshman and said that we need to get back to ‘team first’ and I think that showed her love for the team.”
It’s only Nelson’s first year as a Spartan and she is already paving a path to being an eventual leader for her team by taking it upon herself to bring up her team and offer support during rough patches.
Through her attitude on the court, immense love for her team and all-around fun-loving nature, there is no telling what the next three years hold for this Cancer.
Follow Taylor on Twitter @tayclupetti