By Mike Moguin

Joplin senior volleyball player Aubrey Strickland is a leader who shows a caring spirit for her team. 

The senior middle hitter said the accomplishment she is most proud of is “Uplifting my teammates when they are mentally in a tough spot.”

That caring leadership comes from her Savior.

“Jesus inspires me because I know He is the one who gives me strength to do all that I do,” Strickland said. 

She said, “The best advice anyone has ever given me is to remember that tomorrow is never promised, so it’s important to truly indulge every moment while you can.”

The teammate who has left the biggest impression on her is fellow senior, Lydia Barwick. 

“We have been playing volleyball together since seventh grade, and every step of the way, she has truly been a light,” Strickland said. “She always knows exactly what to say, and she is my main source of positivity on and off the court.”

Strickland says that the sport of volleyball has taught her “that every single human makes mistakes, and nobody is perfect. Although we are competing, we are all still human and deserve the same respect in volleyball that we would give outside of volleyball.” 

Coach Donald Archer is her favorite teacher, “because he made class fun and was open to listening to any/all opinions without condemning them,” Strickland said. 

Other activities she is involved in besides volleyball are Fusion, National Honor Society, Student Council, and Peer Buddies.

Strickland says that her favorite part about representing her high school as an athlete is knowing that Joplin has so many opportunities that other schools don’t have. “I am so blessed to be as involved as I am, and I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else,” she said. 

“I would like to say thank you to my coaches, teammates, and family for having faith in my abilities and seeing potential in me,” Strickland added. “Without the support system I have around me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”