With school back in session for most of Central Georgia, we bring back our 'Athlete of the Week' segment where we will highlight a worthy high school student athlete who is excelling both in the game and in the classroom.
We kick the season off with a senior who digs, blocks, and kills on the court in this week's 'Athlete of the Week.'
Tatyana Robinson is a senior middle hitter for the Warner Robins Demonette volleyball team.
"I like the enthusiasm and the rush you feel from trying to get that block or that kill and the team coming together," says Tatyana Robinson. "It's great way to meet friends and bond as a team."
Robinson has been covering the court since her freshman year in a sport that is relatively new to a county that is dominated by football and Little League baseball and softball, and for her trailblazing efforts, Tatyana was chosen as our Athlete of the Week.
Her coach, Tracy Davis Fendley, says, "I definitely think Tatyana is worthy of (student) Athlete of the Week. She's a great athlete. She tries real hard and always giving it 100%. She's also a great student in the classroom."
Robinson says, "I came a long way. I had to work very hard and just focus on doing one thing right, and if I did that one thing right, to keep doing it and other things will come."
Robinson also boasts a 3.4 GPA in the classroom, which helps balance her focus on being a student and athlete while she prepares for life outside of high school.
The senior goes on to say, "I'm very committed and trying to get an academic scholarship as well as athletic scholarship. Focusing on school goes hand in hand with staying on the team because you can't do extracurricular activities without good grades."
Robinson is the only returning senior to a team that finished 27-8 last season, and feels her experience will help her lead the team to a possible playoff appearance this fall.
"She's a hard worker and very dedicated. She's real sweet and a great leader," says Coach Davis-Fendley.
But Robinson's philosophy is simple, and she says, "Just make sure you stay positive and let them know that people make mistakes and it will be OK. Just get better as a team."
Tatyana and her squad just completed their first matches of the season this week and are now 3-0.