Wolf freshman spiker Megan Behan. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
You never know what you’re going to get.
That’s part of what makes Megan Behan love volleyball so much — the reality that matches can take huge swings and go in unexpected directions based on just a few plays.
“I love that volleyball is unpredictable, and there is no predicting a game,” she said. “You have to keep your head in the game and always stay positive.”
Behan came to volleyball as a sixth-grader, after previously playing soccer, and it was an immediate match.
“I wanted to try something new and I ended up really loving volleyball,” she said. “You also create strong friendships with the people you play with.
“In any sport you really have to trust your team and I think your friendship on and off the court really benefits from that,” Behan added. “The team is not only a group of athletes who play together, but a family that helps each other improve and will always have your back.”
Now mid-way through her freshman season at Coupeville High School, the young spiker takes great delight in continuing to refine her game.
“I think my strengths include up-court skills like hitting, chipping, tipping, etc.,” Behan said. “But I think there is always room for improvement.
“I am working on tossing a lower toss while serving so I can get my timing and power just right,” she added. “I am also working on having a high block with full coverage.”
Right now she is a vital part of undefeated JV and C teams, but, as she goes forward, Behan wants to make the jump up the ladder. To do that, she has some areas she’s hard at work on.
“My goal for this season is to obtain a more aggressive and consistent serve,” she said. “My long term goal is to be able to play around the whole court, so I can be a more a versatile player.”
When she’s not working in the gym, Behan, who would also like to try tennis next spring, is the treasurer for her school’s freshman ASB.
Away from the court she enjoys alternative hip hop and “spending free time with my friends, exploring new places.”
A big fan of the ’80s classic “The Breakfast Club,” Behan picks math and science as her favorite school subjects.
“I adore astronomy and like dealing with numbers.”
As she’s grown, as a volleyball player, student and young woman, Behan has prospered thanks to a strong support group.
On the court, she’s picked up knowledge from all of her mentors.
“As a player, all of my coaches have had a huge impact on my improvement and have taught me countless things,” Behan said. “Coach (Casie) Dunleavy (7th and 8th grade) was my first volleyball coach and taught me how to stay positive on court and taught me the essential skills you need to play volleyball.
“Coach (Cory) Whitmore has taught me countless things, whether it’s a minor thing to improve or a bad habit I need to break in order to reach my full potential,” she added.
“Coach (Chris) Smith has taught me many things, like aiming my serve while still having it be powerful and approaching the ball at the right time while hitting.”
But, while sports are an important part of Behan’s life, they are just a part. It’s her family which is her biggest inspiration.
“My parents are the people who raised me, so they have made the biggest impact on me and have helped me through a lot,” she said. “They have done so much for me and I thank them for everything.
“I always want to make my family proud and that is my real inspiration for everything I do in life.”
Behan’s sister, who is a decade older, has been an ideal role model, she said. While the gap in ages is large, the two have always been close.
“It’s kind of a weird age difference, but watching her grow up as a kid really inspired me; so, in a way, the age difference was kind of a blessing,” Behan said. “She always gives me advice and has guided me through so much.
“I have gone to her at my worst times and she helped me through it all,” she added. “She is my best friend and I couldn’t ask for a better sister.
“I think everyone in my life has impacted me in some way to make me the person I am and I am extremely grateful to have such an amazing community surrounding me.”
Coupeville Sports 