ETSN.fm East Texas Volleyball Super Team Player of the Year: Spring Hill’s Savannah Voelzke

Spring Hill's Savannah Voelzke capped a great high school career with another stellar season, leading her team to the Class 3A Region II tournament for the third consecutive year.

The 6-foot-1 senior helped the Lady Panthers stay in the 3A top 10 and finish with a 38-3 record. For her standout performance, Voelzke is the ETSN.fm East Texas Volleyball Super Team Player of the Year.

Voelzke signed with Arkansas in November and will join her brother as an athlete for the Razorbacks. Alex Voelzke, a former Spring Hill multi-sport athlete, is a football player for the Hogs.

Here's ETSN.fm's interview with Savannah ...

• ETSN: What reasons led you to choose Arkansas and what other schools did you consider, if any?
• SV: Arkansas has a strong volleyball program and each time I talked to the coaches, it just felt like a good fit for me. It was when I visited with the team in the summer and on my official visit, I decided it was where I wanted to play. I talked and visited SMU, TCU, Central Arkansas, and Northwestern State. All of them were very nice, but when coach (Robert) Pulliza called I knew right away my answer was yes. Yes, Alex is already there playing football, but I don't think that influenced my decision too much. He's a really protective big brother, so that could be a good thing or a bad thing, lol.

• ETSN: What about your game do you believe will help you in your transition to playing at the college level?
• SV: I've been lucky I've been able to be a six-rotation outside hitter, which means I've had just as much back-row experience as playing front row. That was something the Arkansas coaches said they really liked and will allow me more options.

• ETSN: What aspects of your game do you think you need to work on the most to prepare for playing at that level?
• SV: Becoming stronger and smarter with hits and being able to work around a big block.

• ETSN: Reflect on your high school career. What was it like to win as many games as y'all did during your career and reach the regional tournament three years in a row?
• SV: It was an awesome experience and one I won't ever forget. I couldn't have asked for better teammates or coaches. We spent a lot of time together over the four years and it didn't feel like being part of a team, it felt like being a part of a family.  Sometimes coach (Karen) Brundrett would know just what to say to me, whether it was about volleyball or not. The friends I played with on the court are the same ones I spend weekends hanging out with. We set team goals and I feel like we were willing to give up anything for our team. That's why my senior year our motto was "Whatever it Takes." At the beginning of this year Coach B told us to be accountable to each other, and I feel like throughout even the very last game, we stuck together. When we lost our last game, I knew every one of us had given all we had that day.

• ETSN: Have you decided on a major? If so, why are choosing that major?
• SV: I want to pursue an accounting degree or a degree in the nursing field with a focus in neonatal. I'm hoping my college classes will help me narrow down my decision. I've always liked math and for the most part it's easy, fun, and I like problem solving. Neonatal nursing just seems like it would be awesome to be a part of a team that helps the sickest, tiniest babies grow, become healthy, and get to go home with their families. I don't want to be one of those people who come home from work every day unhappy and dreading the next day.