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Lady Highlander Volleyball profile: Bella Pinton

By: Doug Sarant
| Published 11/24/2014

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas - The 2014 Woodlands volleyball season is over and the girls are relishing in the after glory of the first ever UIL-6A state championship.

Like her team, The Woodlands junior, Bella Pinton, gradually became better and better as the season wore on enabling this talented group to win the big prize together. As you have read in our Lady Highlander profiles, this team has always been about T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More). Bella is a very important part of this team and someone you will enjoy reading about in this week's Q&A.

When did you first start playing Volleyball and how did you get started?

I began playing volleyball when I was 11 years old. At the time I was a soccer player and decided to try volleyball. I started by joining a program called Cobras. It was a developmental program offered through Xtreme Volleyball. I later joined the 11 Black/Kaepa Team and have continued playing volleyball ever since then.

What select team do you play for?

I currently play club volleyball at Houston Skyline Juniors, and am on the top 17’s team: 17 RoShamBo Royal.

Describe why you like playing for the Lady Highlanders.

I feel very blessed to play for such an accredited volleyball program as The Woodlands. A powerhouse volleyball school in the Houston area that from a young age I looked forward to one day playing for. Along with the strong program, I am also thankful to play next to some of the most dedicated and determined girls that I am honored to call my teammates. The Lady Highlanders truly depict the definition of a team. It consists of a group of supportive, sweet, and silly girls that share a common goal: to win.

Describe what you like about your TWHS coaches.

The coaches go above and beyond to serve as positive influences on all 10 of us. They push us to be our best on and off the court, and strive to take our team to the next level. They are always there for us, and it is nice to know that not only you have the support from your teammates, but from the coaches as well.

Describe why you like to go to TWHS.

I love being a student at the Woodlands High School. The strong academics, competitive athletics, and abundant sense of unity at The Woodlands High School cannot be beat. I feel very fortunate to go to a school like The Woodlands in which everyone tries their best to be successful. My mom graduated from McCullough High School in 1986, therefore I am a second generation Highlander and proud of it!

Who is your volleyball role model and why?

I do not have a volleyball role model. I admire many different players for very different and specific reasons. Whether it is their athletic ability, demeanor on the court, and/or their impact on their team, different players bring different aspects to the game. Therefore, I cannot pinpoint just one athlete that I would consider a role model.

Who is your life role model and why?

My life role model is my mom. She serves as the most positive and admirable person that I know. I hope to one day be like her and aspire to accomplish even a fraction of what she has accomplished. I always try to imitate her in everything I do- WWMD- What would Martha do?

Describe how supportive your family is.

My family is extremely supportive of me. From my mom and dad, to my brother and grandparents, they have always encouraged me to challenge myself academically and athletically. I can always count on them to be there in the stands rooting for me on my good and bad days.

What do you like to do away from school and volleyball?

Along with my athletic side, I also have an artistic side. When I am not doing homework or playing volleyball, I like to draw and play the piano. My passion for the arts developed much earlier than my passion for volleyball. My mom can be held responsible for this, being an architect, she too has a passion for art. In my early years, she taught me everything I know, which would later lead to dazzling and perfected projects that would leave my classmates and teachers in a state of awe. This has yet to change as many of my presentations and projects are still kept today by my teachers to be used as examples for future classes.

What are your college aspirations?

I do not yet have a specific school in mind that I would like to go to, as I am exploring many different options. As of right now, I am interested in majoring in Pre-Medicine, as well as playing volleyball in college. Ideally, I would like to play for a school that not only has strong academics, but a strong volleyball program as well.

What do you hope to be doing after you graduate from college?

After college I hope to attend graduate school. If possible, I would also like to travel and educate myself over the many different cultures in the world. I love learning about different traditions and lifestyles, and feel that it is important to broaden your perspective over the world.

Describe how exciting it was to win State.

This season has been amazing. With a State Championship under our belts…. or in our spandex, one cannot expect anything less than amazement. This season has by far been my favorite school season yet. My teammates, the coaches, and the support we got not only from our loved ones, but also from our fellow classmates definitely contributed to how fantastic this season was. The title of first ever 6A State Champions as well as back to back State Champions serve as the cherry on top of this sweet journey. This journey began from a very much needed wakeup call at the Pearland Tournament, to a successful district season, and continued to a difficult, yet conquerable playoff run to win the title of Regional Champions. We then advanced to the State Tournament where we played a five-set thriller against Churchill and later played Clear Falls to ultimately win the title of 6A State Championship. Despite the title, the medal, and the ring that is to come, the most valuable aspect gained from this experience are the memories that all ten of us share and will cherish for the rest of our lives.

Coach Leslie Madison talks about Bella:

"Bella was a great addition to our team this year. She was very consistent and provided another offensive threat. Bella also put up a very good block that helped us on defense."

Stay tuned for our next profile on state champion, Hailey Reier.

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