It’s no coincidence that Rochelle junior Sarah Craven is wearing the libero jersey for the Lady Hubs varsity volleyball team.

Years before Sarah entered Rochelle Township High School, her older sister Anna Craven donned the libero uniform for the Lady Hubs. A volleyball player since she was 10 years old, Sarah grew up playing club volleyball prior to entering high school, and she attended nearly every Rochelle varsity volleyball match and national club tournament her sister competed in.

“She started playing when she was really young too,” Craven said. “Watching her on the court, she went through teams that were really successful, and seeing all the girls come together even though they didn’t know each other very well was something I loved to watch… She went on the court every single game and she didn’t let losses bother her. She always kept her head up.”

Today, Craven is the defensive anchor of a Lady Hubs varsity volleyball team looking to turn its season around after the girls suffered their sixth straight loss at the hands of Sterling on Tuesday. Craven was part of a sophomore class that won over 20 matches in 2016, and while she spent many years alongside the same group of girls, Craven and her junior teammates are learning to blend with Rochelle's returning seniors, and she said communication and confidence will be essential if the Lady Hubs hope to break out of their midseason slump.

“Different girls are on the court, and communication was hard at first, but I can see us gradually getting better,” Craven said. “We’ve struggled with some issues, but I think we’ve done as well as expected… It’s about changing our attitude, wanting to win and not going into a match assuming we’re going to lose.”

Craven currently leads Rochelle in digs, and her biggest performances this season include a 15-dig effort against the Ottawa Lady Pirates this past week. The junior is hardly ever off the court, and her position carries arguably the greatest responsibilities while on the court.

But Craven has embraced the challenge of playing libero at the varsity level, and she said she’s unfazed by the added pressure the position brings, particularly on defense. Craven is filling a crucial role this season after Rochelle graduated former libero and Most Valuable Player honoree Paige Myroth.

“I’m on the court almost the entire game, so one bad pass isn’t a big deal for me anymore because I have to get over it,” Craven said. “I definitely like the pressure of playing libero, and that’s one of the reasons why I like playing in the back row. The ball comes at you so fast and it’s such an adrenaline rush getting the ball up. I wouldn’t want to play any other position.”

The game of volleyball feels natural to Craven, and she said the sport helps her to stay fresh and free from her daily responsibilities in the classroom. When she’s not in season, Craven plays beach volleyball with junior teammate Grace Orlikowski, and she also plays club volleyball to stay sharp.

“I hate when I’m not playing,” she said. “I always have to be playing… It keeps my mind off everything in school and I think it gives me a good balance between school and volleyball. It helps me stay in a routine.”

Craven said she wants to go to school in Chicago after graduating RTHS, and she said she wants to study English or history while minoring in Spanish before pursuing an education in law school. She grew up wanting to work in health, but a childhood mishap and her recent research into immigration law have taken her on a different educational path.

“I absolutely hate blood and everything like that,” she said. “I always thought I would go into the medical field when I was little, but I accidentally dropped something on my friend’s head and I saw blood for the first time. I completely freaked out.”