VOLLEYBALL: Redd rebuilds confidence through friendship, fortitude

Jul. 25—VERDIGRIS — For Sicilei Redd, senior year at Verdigris High School marks the culmination of a challenging yet transformative journey in the world of volleyball.

Redd overcame significant challenges that once led her to quit the sport, but looking back on her journey, she reflected on the tough times that tested her confidence and her decision to embrace the game she loves once more.

A couple of years ago when the Lady Cardinals experienced a rough patch internally, Redd found herself at a crossroads.

"When I was a sophomore, we had a really tough time in volleyball, and I ended up quitting during the season," she candidly admitted.

But that wasn't the end of her struggles.

Even during her club season, issues with coaching further eroded her confidence, leading to her decision to step away from club volleyball as well. These setbacks took a toll on Redd, leaving her with diminished self-assurance that lingered until the recent club season.

However, with the encouragement of Verdigris coach Caleb Horton and her club coach, Redd found herself gradually rebuilding the confidence that had eluded her. Their support and belief in her abilities played a pivotal role in Redd's decision to give volleyball another chance.

"I love the sport, obviously. And I love Horton, and I love all the girls. I really wanted to be around everyone else, too," Redd said, highlighting the strong bond she has with her teammates.

A friend and teammate, Abagayle Barnes, also played a crucial role in Redd's comeback.

Barnes reached out to her during her time away from volleyball, offering a helping hand and a source of strength if she chose to return. These heartfelt gestures made a significant impact on Redd's decision-making process.

"(Barnes) had texted me and was talking to me about how if I came back, she would help me through it and everything," Redd said. "We were friends through soccer, and she had texted me and was like, 'Hey, if you have any problems, I'll deal with it whenever you come back.' So that was really helpful. Then Horton came up to me as well a few times, and we really talked about it. So I just decided everything would go well."

Of course, the journey on the volleyball court hasn't been without its challenges.

Her position has evolved over the years, from being a setter to switching between outside hitter and middle blocker. Eventually, Redd found herself back at setting, a position that initially felt unfamiliar and challenging.

However, recognizing her natural talent for setting, she dedicated herself to private lessons and honing her skills. Through hard work and determination, she transformed her doubts into newfound confidence, becoming an essential player for her team.

During the Lady Cardinals' historic 42-win season in 2022, Redd registered 882 assists in addition to 68 aces.

"I didn't know really what I was supposed to be doing and what I was really going to do in the future, so I was just trying to figure that out in my setting," Redd said. "My hitting was OK, but my setting was meh. But I had gotten told that I had good hands, so they really wanted me to set because I think that we wouldn't have many. So I just kind of got pushed towards that, and it was tough at first ... I spent a lot of time working on it. It really built my confidence a lot, just trying to work on the stuff that I needed to."

When asked what advice she would give her younger self, Redd emphasized the importance of self-belief, saying, "I'd probably just tell myself to believe in myself because it's really hard to just push through a sport whenever you don't believe in yourself."

As Redd leads her team into her senior year, she sees great potential in the Lady Cardinals' camaraderie and chemistry.

She said she believes the bond they share will be a major strength in their pursuit for success.

"We're all really good friends on and off the court," Redd said, emphasizing the importance of unity and focus, believing that with a cohesive team, they can achieve great things this season. "I'd say this is probably one of the best teams that I've played on, bonding wise and chemistry wise. I think if we just stay together as one team, and we don't buy into drama and all of that, it'll be really good this year. We might not be as talented as we were last year, but I think that we can still go really far this year and do really good."

As a setter, Redd recognizes the responsibility she holds in ensuring the team's success.

However, she acknowledges that she still wants to work on her confidence and focus, both critical elements in her role.

"Sometimes, I don't really know what happens, but when I'm not focused, my hands just don't work right," she said. "A setter always has to play good for their team, or else the whole team is not gonna be able to hit, and so I think that's really one thing — just making sure I come in focused every single game."

Beyond the volleyball court, Redd has clear aspirations for her future.

She has a passion for chemistry and dreams of becoming a dermatologist, combining her interest in skincare with the science of chemistry. "There's a lot of chemistry that goes into formulating skincare brands and everything, so I really wanted to kind of focus on that," she explains.

Although Redd once considered being a student-athlete in college, she now plans to focus on academics while keeping her options open.

As she contemplates her next chapter at Kansas State University, Redd knows that life is full of unexpected twists and turns. She isn't completely writing off becoming a collegiate athlete, but the circumstances would need to mix with her academic endeavors.

"It'd probably be volleyball over soccer," Redd said. "I've been playing soccer for a long time, but I think it's just kind of something on the side for fun. But anything can happen."

Redd exemplifies resilience, determination and a strong sense of self, and with the unwavering support of her coaches and teammates, she has risen above adversities to embrace her true potential with a renewed sense of confidence.

Whether on the volleyball court or in the realm of academia, Redd embodies the spirit of a true leader, leaving a lasting impact on her team and setting her sights on a future brimming with possibilities.

"I'm just waiting to see where God takes me and whatever happens happens," she humbly said, ready to embrace whatever comes her way with the same tenacity she exhibits on the volleyball court.