Game point. The court goes silent. Quinn Hickman takes a deep breath in, then lets a deep breath out—the world around her stops.
“Be where your feet are,” former University of Alabama football head coach Nick Saban says. Hickman takes these words to heart, focusing on what is right in front of her.
She tosses the ball into the air and it spirals over the net, and aces her opponent. And just like that, the CVHS girls Varsity volleyball team takes another win and moves one step closer to a championship. Quinn stays humble while celebrating because she knows this game is not the end. It is with the same humble mindset that the CVHS girls volleyball team has taken home the 5A Varsity Volleyball District Championship title for the last two years.
“Winning is one of the best feelings in the world. So I want to keep enjoying that,” Hickman reflects.
(Quinn Hickman plays against Milby High School. Photo taken by Carolyn Pan)
Now the captain of the varsity volleyball team, Hickman has played on the varsity team since her freshman year at CVHS. She shares her expertise with members of not only the varsity team, but the JV and freshman teams as well. She has been a role model to many, uplifting her teammates with both passion and kindness.
“We all know what we have to get done, and that’s helped us strive toward some things that we have found difficult,” Hickman shares.
Though known for her contributions to the CVHS volleyball team, she has made an even bigger impact on her club volleyball team, Houston Skyline. Hickman has been at Houston Skyline for the last three years, and last season, her team brought home 3rd place at the USA Volleyball Nationals, where they competed against 200 top teams from across the nation.
“We got to show up, we got to fight. We got to prove why we are that good,” Hickman states.
Wanting to keep this streak going, she hopes to help her team bring home another national title this year.
(Quinn Hickman on varsity volleyball media day. Photo taken by Miyuki Scott)
Although volleyball consumes a majority of her time, Hickman explores different cultures by visiting countries across the globe, learning about their cultures, and tasting different cuisines. Her most memorable trip was to Vietnam, where she immersed herself in the culture in order to better understand and appreciate it.
“These experiences have opened my eyes to a new world. Being able to feel and taste different cultures helped me give a new perspective in the other parts of the world,” Hickman states.
(Quinn on a trip to Vietnam. Photo taken by Megan Bickel)
To keep moving forward, Hickman always keeps the phrase “I can only control myself, no one else” in the back of her mind. She applies this to both volleyball and life in general.
Hickman’s mindfulness comes from her biggest role model, her mom. She was a junior Olympic athlete in downhill skiing. Hickman states that she gets her athleticism from her.
“I really admire her, her striving to be the best, doing the best she can, and just having that leadership she has in the workplace,” Quinn says.
Though Quinn has many role models, she has become a role model to many surrounding her. Her influence among others has been everlasting. She continues to stay true to herself no matter what surrounds her and that is what makes Hickman for the win.