Sports have always been a big part of life for Paige Hanes, a senior at Ridgefield High School. From softball and basketball to track and volleyball, she has spent much of her childhood and teenage years competing, learning, and growing. But of all the sports she’s played, volleyball has captured her heart.

Paige first joined a recreational volleyball team at age eight, and what started as a fun activity with friends quickly became a passion. “It’s always been super fun,” she told me. “It was easy to just play in the backyard with my sister or my friends.”

Today, Paige is primarily an outside hitter for her club team, PNW, a position that requires versatility and the ability to both hit and pass with excellence. She loves that volleyball challenges her to stay mentally strong and maintain a "goldfish mindset." “Volleyball is a game of who will make the most mistakes,” Paige explained. “You have to be able to make a mistake and move on quickly.”

This mindset has helped her both on and off the court. Volleyball has taught her resilience, leadership, and how to encourage others, even when personalities don’t always match, skills that will help her far beyond her youth sports days.

Paige plays for Ridgefield High School’s varsity volleyball team, where many of her teammates have been friends and teammates for years. “We’ve grown up together. It’s a great community,” she told me. She also plays club volleyball year-round with PNW, a club founded by her mom, Melanie. The club was created to give local athletes an affordable opportunity to compete at a high level without extensive travel. Since then, PNW has grown into an important part of the Southwest Washington volleyball community.

When she’s not playing volleyball, Paige enjoys swimming, crafts, cooking, spending time with friends, and coaching younger volleyball athletes. As a coach for 10- to 12-year-old girls, she enjoys sharing the lessons she has learned from her own coaches and experiences. Coaching has even made her more aware of her own habits and work ethic.

Faith is also an important part of Paige’s life. Her relationship with Jesus gives her confidence as she faces challenges both on and off the court. Her church keeps her connected with a close community of friends, and her faith gives her peace, knowing someone is always there. “It’s nice to have Jesus on my side... someone I can always go to.”

Looking ahead, Paige plans to attend BYU–Idaho and may continue playing intramural volleyball as she decides what the future holds. “I’m all over the place,” she joked. “There are so many things that I could enjoy.” Whatever path she chooses, Paige’s positive attitude, faith, and strong work ethic are sure to serve her well.