Heritage freshman finds varsity suits her well

Wherever Colleyville Heritage’s volleyball team has a need, freshman Jillian Dickens is ready to step in and help out.

And it doesn’t seem to matter what the intensity level is, as Dickens feels her club team experience has her battle-tested and ready for the rigors of District 7-6A play.

Dickens, when asked which position she plays, said she’s on the right side – and outside. “Whatever they need,” she answered.

The young player has helped the team push to a promising playoff position in the district standings while gaining valuable experience.

“She’s a team player,” said head coach Hollie Huston. “She embraced the middle position for us early for about 26 games when we had a starter out. We figured it could only give her more versatility if she really worked it, and she did.”

Dickens hasn’t folded, rather thrived, in big games.

“It’s fun getting to play in the big games. I enjoy that and get along with all the girls,” Dickens said. “Club has helped prepare me, along with the coaches, to get me to where I am today.”

Dickens said the team atmosphere has helped make her feel at home with the older players and part of the team. They share the desire to win, she said.

The most difficult part of the transition to the varsity game is overcoming her admiration for her competition.

“Playing against girls I thought were so much older than me was hard to get used to,” Dickens said. “I was in awe of some of my own teammates and players on other teams. Now, I look up to how they play, and now I’m getting to play against them.”

Dickens said it’s been a natural transition for her, as she was able to get to know and work with her teammates over the summer.

She also said the faster pace of the game and the quickness and strength of the older players has taken some getting used to.

“As a freshman, she’s held her own and really been a solid player for us both mentally and skillfully,” Huston. “We look forward to the future for Jill.”

The future is likely bright for Dickens and for the Lady Panthers as the regular season draws to a conclusion. The focus, though, is for Dickens to plug in and be a part of the team.

“Every team is better as a team, but we play good when we’re all at our best,” she said. “We come together and make good plays and have pulled out some comebacks. We all work together to achieve the goal. Not all teams are like that.”

This story was originally published October 19, 2015 at 2:51 PM with the headline "Heritage freshman finds varsity suits her well."