From her freshman year, Pheris Fiaseu has grown not only as a volleyball player but also as a person. Throughout her journey of playing high school volleyball, she has developed confidence, learned how to handle challenges, and discovered what it means to be a leader. Pheris’ journey began at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace in San Diego, California, where she played during her freshman and sophomore years. She continued her volleyball career at Sacred Hearts Academy during her junior and senior years, where she wears the number 11.
When Fiaseu was a freshman, she was still figuring out her strengths and trying to build confidence as an athlete. Like many athletes, she needed time to learn about herself and strive for growth. Reflecting on her growth Fiaseu says, “ “as a freshman, I was still trying to figure out my strengths and build confidence.. Now, I’m more confident, experienced, and willing to push myself even when things get difficult.” Her role as a teammate has also changed over the years. When she was younger, Fiaseu looked up to the older girls on her team and learned from them. Now, as a senior, she has become someone her younger teammates can look up to. “I started off mostly looking up to the older girls and learning from them,” Fiaseu said. “Now, I’m in a position where I can be that person for someone else and help younger teammates feel more comfortable and confident.”
Fiaseu has also learned that becoming a better athlete takes time. As a freshman, she may have wanted to see improvement quickly, but over the years, she has learned that mistakes are part of the process. Instead of letting mistakes discourage her, she has learned to use them as opportunities to improve. “I understand now that improvement takes time,” Fiaseu said. “You don’t become a better athlete overnight and mistakes are part of getting better.” Learning to be patient with herself has been an important part of Fiaseu’s growth. Volleyball has taught her that progress does not always happen immediately and that continuing to work through difficult moments can make a difference.
Fiaseu’s growth as a volleyball player has also shaped who she is outside of the sport. Off the court, Fiaseu has learned the importance of perseverance and determination, “Sports have taught me a lot about myself. They’ve taught me how to be patient with myself, handle failure, work hard, and keep going when things get difficult. I’ve also met people through sports who have helped me grow and become a better person.”
As a senior, Fiaseu has a new understanding of what it means to be a leader, “To me, being a leader isn’t about being the best athlete. It’s about being someone who works hard, sets a good example, and encourages others.” Fiaseu remembers what it was like to be a freshman and look up to her older teammates. That experience has influenced the type of teammate and leader she wants to be, “I want to be the person I needed when I was a freshman and help younger athletes feel supported, confident, and like they belong on the team,” Fiaseu said.
Fiaseu hopes younger athletes do not measure their growth by comparing to someone else’s and to embrace where they are right now. She offers this advice, “Everyone grows at their own pace, so never compare your beginning to someone else’s.Trust yourself, work hard, and enjoy the process because high school sports go by faster than you think.”
From a freshman still finding her confidence to a senior now inspiring younger teammates, Fiaseu’s volleyball journey has shaped far more than the athlete she has become. It has taught her to embrace failure, trust her progress, and keep moving forward. Now, as she finishes her high school volleyball season, she hopes to pass those lessons on to the athletes who come after her, reminding them that growth is not measured by how quickly you improve, but by how far you are willing to keep going.
