NCSA caught up with volleyball standout Marika Racibarskas about her high school career and the opportunity to compete at the college level.
NCSA: What have you gained from playing sports in high school (teamwork, the importance of hard work)? How has it affected your life away from the game?
Racibarskas: High school sports have definitely taught me the meaning of teamwork, self composure as well as trust. Without these three things, especially in the game of volleyball, it is very hard to be successful. In my everyday life, I use these concepts to try to better myself and my peers around me.
NCSA: Tell us a little bit about your high school coach. What is s/he like, what does s/he teach you, what's the toughest part of working with him/her and what have you learned from them?
Racibarskas: In his first year at Chatham High School, my coach Greg DeMoustes led the team to both county and state finals. He strongly believes that in order to be successful, it is necessary to be mentally tough as well as physically tough. Before every game I can remember him telling us, "the only team that can beat you is yourselves." This statement gave us an extra boost of confidence before stepping onto the court each match. However, with such a strong belief in conditioning and mental toughness, keeping my head up in tough moments sometimes posed as a bit of a challenge. Thankfully, Coach DeMoustes' positive attitude helped me push through the tougher drills and not give up.
NCSA: Who's your role model and why?
Racibarskas: Without a doubt, I can say that my mom is my role model. Her dedication has greatly affected my life in a positive way. Without her non-stop support, I don't think I could have achieved half of what I have. She has always taught me to power through everything I do. She tells me to "always do 100% with your 100%"; never take the short cut. Without dedication in your life, almost nothing can be achieved.
NCSA: At what age did you start playing your sport? Have you ever had to choose between it and another sport or activity?
Racibarskas: Ever since I was in grade school, I can remember playing volleyball at summer camp. Having a Latvian background really exposed me to the love of the game early on in my life. To Latvians, volleyball is a passion and a way of life. Even at fifty years old, my friends' parents are still playing volleyball. And yes, I had to choose between volleyball and lacrosse. My high school lacrosse coach told me that I could have a future in the sport of lacrosse and therefore she made me make a decision last spring. I then decided and told her that lacrosse was my sport on the side and that volleyball was my main sport and there was no way I was about to give up this sport.
NCSA: How do you plan on spending the summer? Are you playing sports, working or traveling with you family etc, etc?
Racibarskas: This summer, just like every other summer, I'll be attending a Latvian Language High School for six weeks. It is a program in which the students take classes conducted in the Latvian language. This year I will be completing the four year program, and graduating from the school. In my free time there, my friends and I get together and play on beach and clay-like courts. One weekend, there is a weekend solely dedicated to volleyball. On Saturday, the kids in the school play but on
Sunday, they call it 4-2. This means that 4 men and 2 women play on the court. Teams are composed of D1 college athletes, parents, and kids. This summer I will also be attending the A1 youth development camp in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
NCSA: What is your favorite and also what is your least favorite classes in school and why?
Racibarskas: My favorite class in school would have to be film criticism. I like it because not only has it exposed me to movies I would have never chosen to see on my own, but it has really taught me how to watch a movie. I notice so many more details and the symbolism in the film. My least favorite class is probably math just because it isn't my strongest subject.
NCSA: What are you looking for in a college? Do you have your heart set on a major, a certain size of school, type of student body?
Racibarskas: My choice of a major is still undecided, but I have an interest in Spanish and Psychology. I'm looking for a "ra-ra" school as I like to call it. A big school where school spirit and sports are a big deal.
