Introduction & Background

Meet Caroline Ford, a sophomore at Mercer Island High School and this month’s Athlete of the Month. Caroline’s love for volleyball started back in 4th grade at the Mercer Island Boys and Girls Club, where she played just for fun. By 7th grade, she joined club volleyball, discovering her passion for the game. After experimenting with multiple sports growing up—and recently stepping away from basketball—Caroline has dedicated herself fully to volleyball.

She currently plays as an outside hitter, a position she’s held for the past two years. What she loves most is that it’s a true “all skills” role, allowing her to shine both offensively in the front row and defensively in the back row.

Team & Season Highlights

For Caroline, one of the standout moments this season was winning the opening jamboree. It was an exciting start and a chance to compete against older players at a higher level. She describes the MIHS volleyball culture as supportive, positive, and centered on attitude—something that keeps her motivated and excited to practice every day.

Training & Mindset

During the school season, Caroline trains daily after class, while club season means 3–4 practices per week. When it comes to big games, she focuses on playing with confidence—a mindset she’s learned brings out her best performance. While she doesn’t have strict pre-game rituals, she makes it a priority to energize her teammates and lock in mentally, shutting out distractions before stepping onto the court.

Leadership & Inspiration

Caroline credits her club coach and her parents as her biggest inspirations, constantly pushing her to give her all. To her, leadership is about uplifting teammates and making sure everyone feels connected, knowing that strong relationships are the foundation of a great team. When things get tough, she aims to be a steady, positive presence—always smiling and encouraging those around her.

Balancing School & Sports

Being a student-athlete isn’t always easy, and Caroline admits balancing academics and athletics has been a challenge. She manages by staying in close communication with her teachers, getting ahead on schoolwork before tournaments, and focusing on healthy habits. Her favorite subject outside of sports is world history, thanks to the engaging assignments and projects.

Looking Ahead

Caroline’s goals for the rest of the season include strengthening her leadership skills and continuing to grow as both a player and a teammate. Looking further ahead, she hopes to play volleyball in college—even if not at the Division I level—because she simply can’t imagine life without the sport. Her advice to younger athletes: “Don’t let your confidence in the sport be determined by your coach or how much playing time you get.”

Fun Facts