From her freshman year, Pheris Fiaseu has grown not only as a volleyball player but also as a person. Over four years of playing volleyball, she has developed confidence, learned how to handle challenges and discovered what it means to be a leader. Her journey began at Academy of Our Lady of Peace in San Diego, California, where she played during her freshman and sophomore years. She then continued her volleyball journey at Sacred Hearts Academy during her junior and senior years, where she wears 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 more about herself and become comfortable pushing herself. Now, as a senior, she describes herself as more confident and experienced. “As a freshman, I was still trying to figure out my strengths and build confidence,” Fiaseu said. “Now, I’m more confident, experienced, and willing to push myself even when things get difficult.” Her role as a teammate has also changed throughout her four years of volleyball. When she was younger, she looked up to the older girls on her team and learned from them. Now, as a senior, she has become someone younger athletes 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 Fiaseus’ growth. Volleyball has taught her that progress does not always happen immediately and that continuing to work through difficult moments can make a difference. Her growth through volleyball has also affected who she is outside of the sport. Fiaseu has learned how to handle failure, work hard and keep going when things become difficult. The people she has met through volleyball have also played a big role in helping her grow. “Sports have taught me a lot about myself,” Fiaseu said. “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 developed a new understanding of what it means to be a leader. She believes leadership is not about being the best athlete on the team. Instead, it is about setting a good example, working hard and encouraging others. “To me, being a leader isn’t about being the best athlete,” Fiaseu said. “It’s about being someone who works hard, sets a good example, and encourages others.” Fiaseu wants to use her experience to support younger athletes. She remembers what it was like to be a freshman and look up to older players, which 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. One of the biggest lessons Fiaseu hopes younger athletes can learn is not to compare their progress to someone else’s. Every athlete develops at a different pace, and being a beginner does not mean someone will always be behind. Her advice to freshman athletes at SHA is to trust themselves, work hard and enjoy the experiences. “Everyone grows at their own pace, so never compare your beginning to someone else’s,” Fiaseu said. “Trust yourself, work hard, and enjoy the process because high school sports go by faster than you think.” From starting high school as a freshman who was still building confidence to becoming a senior who now encourages younger teammates, Fiaseu’s volleyball journey has changed the way she sees herself and those around her. Through four years of playing volleyball, she has learned lessons about patience, hard work, failure, perseverance and leadership. As she continues through her senior year, Fiaseu hopes younger athletes will trust themselves and appreciate their own progress. Her experience shows that growth does not happen all at once. It happens through the challenges, mistakes and experiences that come along the way.
