After six years as a student at MODG, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Strub is preparing for her final year of school, reflecting on an experience shaped by both academic challenges and years of dedication to volleyball. While school and sports might seem like separate parts of life, she describes them as deeply connected through one common theme: learning how to grow through pressure.
Lizzy describes her time at MODG as both enjoyable and demanding. Building relationships with teachers and classmates stood out as one of the most rewarding parts of her experience, but the workload often proved challenging. At times, she found herself falling behind. Instead of discouraging her, however, those moments became opportunities to develop consistency and perseverance. “I’ve gotten behind a lot,” she said, “but it has taught me self-discipline and to keep pushing forward.”
One class that stood out to her was Catholic Apologetics. While she enjoyed the subject itself, particularly the opportunity to write argumentative essays, she emphasized that the teacher made the biggest impact. She credited Mr. Paul Dinan for creating an engaging and supportive learning environment. His patient teaching style and ability to involve students in discussion helped make the material more meaningful and easier to understand. By encouraging participation and organizing ideas clearly, he helped students feel more confident in their learning.
Outside the classroom, volleyball has played a major role in Lizzy’s life. Her interest in the sport began casually at one of her brother’s baseball games, where she first tried playing with a friend. Around the same time, her mother had also been considering enrolling her in volleyball. After attending a camp, she began playing more seriously, eventually joining both recreational and travel teams, as well as a school team. In total, she has spent about eight years involved in the sport.
Over time, her position on the court has changed. Earlier in her career, she often played as a setter, a role that requires constant decision-making and carries significant pressure. In recent years, she transitioned to playing libero and defensive specialist. She described these positions as more enjoyable and less stressful, while still requiring focus and effort. “It’s honestly really fun to dig attacks from the other team,” she said, noting that she feels more confident and relaxed in her current role.
Despite her experience, challenges remain. One of the biggest obstacles she faces is anxiety during games. She explained that she often worries about making mistakes or embarrassing herself in front of others. To manage this, she reminds herself that mistakes are a natural part of the game and focuses on doing her best in each moment.
Another challenge arises when she or her team struggles during a game. Frustration can build quickly, especially when performance declines and coaches become visibly upset. To deal with this, she relies on advice from a former coach: “Have the mind of a goldfish.” The phrase, while simple, carries an important meaning: don’t dwell on mistakes. By quickly letting go of errors and focusing on the next play, she is able to maintain composure and perform more effectively.
Some of her most meaningful memories come not from individual games, but from time spent with her teammates. Bus rides, shared meals, and team bonding moments created a sense of connection that made each season memorable. She noted that when a team gets along well, the entire experience becomes more enjoyable and meaningful.
Reflecting on her journey, Lizzy emphasized the importance of effort, particularly outside of practice. Looking back, she regrets not always putting in her full effort during earlier years and encourages others to take that aspect seriously. She also shared a lesson often repeated by one of her coaches: “Volleyball is a game of mistakes.” Improvement comes from learning through those mistakes rather than being discouraged by them.
Her personal philosophy is simple. While competition is important, it is equally important to remember that volleyball is, at its core, just a game. Wins and losses are both part of the experience, and neither should define a player’s mindset. By keeping that perspective, she has learned to move forward more easily after setbacks and focus on continued improvement.
Her story reflects more than just time spent in school or on the court. It highlights the value of resilience, discipline, and learning how to stay present under pressure—lessons that extend far beyond volleyball.
