Athlete Profile: Hailey Peitersen

Reaching milestones in high school sports not only shows off an athlete’s talent, but also shows how valuable a player is to a team for a multi-year period. Hailey Peitersen has been a big part of the Oconto Falls High School volleyball team’s success over the past few seasons and recently topped the 1,000-assist mark for her career.

Peitersen has been the Panthers’ setter this season, and is averaging over six assists per set. She hit 1,000 career assists in the team’s win over Fox Valley Lutheran on Oct. 5.

She also led the team in assists as a junior, when she landed on the North Eastern Conference honorable mention team.

Q: When did your interest in volleyball begin?

A: I first became interested in playing volleyball from watching my older sister, Stephanie Peitersen, play when I was younger. The first time I ever competitively played was on a club team in sixth grade, and I have loved the sport ever since.

Q: What is your favorite part about the volleyball season?

A: My favorite part about volleyball is the bus rides and team bonding with the girls. We all are so close this year and everything someone seems to say or do is always so funny. It is such a positive environment that I just love being around all the girls!

Q: What has volleyball taught you over the years?

A: Volleyball has taught me the importance of resilience and teamwork. It has also led me to become a stronger leader and build my communication skills on and off the court.

Q: You recently topped 1,000 assists for your career. How special is that milestone to you?

A: This milestone is incredibly special and rewarding to me after the years of training it took me to reach 1,000 assists. I was unsure if I would be able to reach this milestone because of the limited games last year, so the fact that I still accomplished it is very special to me.

Q: Who helped you reach that milestone?

A: Many people helped contribute to my 1,000 assists. I could not have done this without the hours of coaching and training from all levels of the coaching staff. My friends and family were also big supporters, always cheering me on and driving me to practices and games. The biggest contributor to this milestone was my teammates. Without them, this achievement would not have been possible, so I cannot give credit to them enough.

Q: Do you have any rituals you go through before a volleyball match?

A: On gamedays, it is a ritual that me and my teammate, Grace Oninski, go to Kwik Trip to get snacks and energy drinks. While warming up before the game, the team always listens to our favorite pump-up songs and sings the school song.

Q: What is your favorite memory from playing for the Oconto Falls volleyball team?

A: My favorite memory from playing volleyball will always be singing the school song with our student section after winning a game. This is a ritual we just started toward the end of the season, but it is so fun to celebrate our win with our friends that came out to support us and show our school spirit!

Q: As the season winds down, what is the key to the team keeping its season alive?

A: After coming off a five-set win at Wrightstown on Thursday (Oct. 7) and then winning our home invitational this Saturday (Oct. 9), our team has a lot of momentum. The key for us is to keep this momentum this next week and then build on it into the playoffs.

Q: As a senior, how have you helped lead the team this fall?

A: I was awarded the position as a team captain this year, and with this role, I have prioritized encouraging teammates and setting a good example on and off the court.

Q: Favorite movie, TV show and musical artist?

A: Movie — “The Lorax.” TV show — “Criminal Minds.” Musical artist – Luke Combs.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: One thing many people do not know about me is that I love learning about physics and astronomy.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: After graduation, I plan to attend the University of Alabama and study aerospace engineering. I hope with this degree to eventually work for NASA or SpaceX.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Hailey Peitersen

Sport: Volleyball

Positions: Setter

School: Oconto Falls High School

Year: Senior