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Pasadena Independent Oct 08, 2014
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Story and Photo by SHEL SEGAL
For Ruby Dyson, it’s all about winning on the volleyball court. And that’s something she’s very good at.
So good that the senior for the Pasadena High girls’ volleyball team and three-year varsity starter is hoping to take her game next year to either NCAA Division I or II.
“I think just trying to get to college and trying to get a scholarship, just being able to do what I love to do beyond high college,” Dyson said in response to a question about her next step.
Dyson said she plays volleyball year-round and that started at a very young age.
“I started with my cousin Shelby, who graduated last year, and it just started with her, peppering and pumping the ball around. I was 9,” Dyson said. “And then I started my club season when I was 9. I’ve just been playing ever since.”
She added she gets a real high from doing well.
“At first, it was just kind of something extracurricular to do,” she said. “But whenever you get a kill or whenever you get a block, knowing that the team needs you it’s something that feels good. It’s just a good experience. I really love it.”
Helping Dyson’s success on the court has been her height, and she stands at 6 feet, 4 inches tall. And while that is unusual for a girl, Dyson said she just uses it to her advantage.
“People think I can’t hear them talking about me, but I do,” she said. “And I don’t care. That makes me want to capitalize on that. That drives me to show them, ‘You think I’m this good? Well, I am this good!'”
Pasadena coach Ashley DiSalvo said Dyson is just a terrific player for the Bulldogs
“She was voted our MVP last year by the team,” DiSalvo said of Dyson. “That was a great honor to be bestowed onto her by her fellow teammates. That was huge. She led in kills for us last year, she led in blocks for us. It’s a huge accomplishment. That indicates a great offensive player. That indicates great ability in the front row.”
DiSalvo added Dyson should have a stellar collegiate career.
“She’ll probably walk in and be a starter 100 percent depending on the level that she goes to,” DiSalvo said. “With her ability right now, with her IQ on the court I think no doubt she’ll be an immediate contributor.”
Dyson said DiSalvo has really helped her with her game.
“She just teaches me not how to improve, but she’s been helping me on what I have as a player, just growing and expanding,” Dyson said of DiSalvo.
Dyson also said being on the court has had some other positive results in her life.
“I’ve met so many of my good friends because I’ve been playing club, because I’ve been playing high school,” she said. “They’re people I would have never associated myself with and now I’m friends with them.”
(Shel Segal can be reached at ssegal@beaconmedianews.com. Follow him via Twitter @segallanded.)
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