(January 31, 2013)– Junior Araz Maleky started playing volleyball six years ago when her dad first introduced it to her at the Armenian Community Center, Homenetmen Ararat. Even though she did not like playing volleyball at first, she learned to love it and has improved greatly over time. Maleky continuously played volleyball and tried out for Herbert Hoover High School’s team during her freshman year. She made the Junior Varsity team her sophomore year, and this year she made the captain of the JV team. “Being captain was a challenge for me, but I like taking the full responsibility for my team,” Makeky said. Maleky said she has made many new friends among her teammates, who she describes as hard workers and competitors.”We all get along,” she said. “Our team doesn’t have any drama that would hurt us.” Even after the volleyball season ends, her team remains close by doing many fun activities together. Attending Clark and playing on Hoover’s JV Volleyball team has not only allowed Maleky to meet new people but also to experience being both at a school emphasizing science and technology and a regular public school. “It is the best of both worlds for me,” she said. Being on the volleyball team has also helped Maleky to be on top of her grades in school. All athletes must have a minimum GPA of 2.0, which encourages her to succeed in school as well. “Volleyball has helped me manage my time better in school work,” Maleky said. “If anyone on the team falls behind in schoolwork, our coaches talk to us and help us get back on track.” When asked if she will play volleyball for a long time, Maleky definitely agreed. She loves this sport and said that one day in the future she hopes to become a coach. “Even though my mom wants me to become a doctor, I see myself as a volleyball coach,” she said.