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NewsTribune Athlete of the Week: Putnam County’s Myah Richardson · Illinois Valley - Shaw Local

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  News Tribune Athlete of the Week, Putnam County's Maya Richardson. Written by
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  Kevin Schlum. This article is being read by an automated voice, brought
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  to you by Everlett. The Putnam County volleyball team is off to
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  a strong start this season, and junior Maya Richardson is a big
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  reason for that. In four matches during the week of august thirty
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  first, she had forty seven kills, thirty-six assists, and sixty seven digs
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  to help the Panthers to four wins. The Panthers are now eleven
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  one. Maya sees the court so well and does a great job
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  mixing up her shots to keep the defense guessing, Putnam County coach
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  Amy Bell said. She has been running a great offense and has
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  done an excellent job moving the ball around and putting our hitters
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  in good positions. She plays with so much passion and a genuine
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  love for the game, and that energy is contagious on the court.
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  For her performance, Richardson was voted the News Tribune Athlete of the
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  Week, sponsored by S Soq and Grasser's Plumbing and Heating. Richardson answered
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  some questions from News Tribune's sports editor Kevin Schlum. That is the
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  most memorable play you've made in a volleyball match? Richardson at AAU
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  Nationals, when we were down by a few points in the third
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  set, I served us back to game point. Even though we ended
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  up losing that match and finishing the tournament there, it was a
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  real moment of pressure that shows how pressure pushes me to be
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  to be better. How did you improve your game between sophomore and
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  junior season?
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  Richardson: Constantly working on building strength, endurance, and zoning in on specific
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  skills during club season, Lion Starved Rock JRS truly pushes every athlete
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  to be better and work harder, and by the end of the
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  season everyone has become different players. What has been the key to
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  the
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  team strong start this
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  season Richardson, everyone gels together so well and our communication is amazing.
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  It comes easy with a good team and that has really been
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  key. Our hitters are also putting balls away when it is truly
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  needed and important. Defense has been very scrappy, and no one lets
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  a ball fall without a body. What goals do you have for
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  yourself and the team for the rest of the season? Richardson. Personal
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  goals this season consist of continue to push myself to be better
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  for my team and continue to lead the team on and off
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  the floor. Team goals this season are to get farther in the
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  postseason than ever and build done of Then strongest teams possible. I
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  also hope the team can continue to build our bond because it's
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  truly an honor to have great friends and teammates. Who have been
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  the most influential people in your athletic career? Richardson, I always have
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  to give credit to my parents, who never let me fall on
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  the days that are hard. The have always pushed me to be
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  better, and push me harder on the days I don't feel as
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  though I've done enough. The there are those you meet as you
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  walk through life, like Jen Crum. Jen has always been more than
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  a coach. She's like my second mom and talks me through anything
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  and everything. Any coach What
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  has taken the time to understand me or work with me has
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  also been a big push for me. There are also the ones
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  you see at every game or almost every game, the ones who
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  cheer the loudest or the ones who wait for you after the
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  game. DJ Glynn, the dad who always makes me laugh or smile
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  when I want to cry, my favorite Stephanie Kright and my teammates.
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  What are your hobbies outside of volleyball? Richardson, watching volleyball, specifically Nebraska.
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  What is your favorite holiday and why? Richardson, the 4th of July,
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  because I love summer and your get to see all your friends,
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  stay out late, take cute pictures, and just have a great time.
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  With what food could you win an eating contest? Richardson, Taco Bell.
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  Specifically a grilled cheese burrito. Happy, sad, tired, wide awake I want
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  a grilled cheese burrito. If you could excel at any sport besides
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  volleyball, what would it be and why? Richardson, race car driving. I
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  don't drive crazy. My mom stalks my life 360. But I think
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  it would be so much fun. What are your thoughts on your
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  individual performance last week? Richardson, I think I played well. Most
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  definitely could have been better, but it's still early in the season
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  and we grow as a team.