ABBOTSFORD – As a shy freshman, Abbotsford senior setter Faith Sperl arrived at the varsity tryout full of emotion and a strong desire to play.
She felt like an underdog competing against upperclassmen who had already secured their spots.
But after making her way onto the court as a freshman, she never left, becoming a fixture in the Falcons starting rotation and leading the Falcons offense ever since. While it has been a rewarding journey, it has also been challenging.
Volleyball has always been her greatest source of comfort, which has led to her success on the court.
“Consistency and always getting in the gym when I can, whether it’s lifting or setting up a net and doing some extra reps,” Sperl said of her efforts to make the varsity team. “But, not only that, but working on my mental strength and what I can take, as well as learning and growing each day, has been critical.
“I think those things pushed me to be the best player I could be that year, which then ultimately ended up with me starting as a freshman.”
Sperl’s on-court commands piqued the interest of the Wisconsin Ice Premier Volleyball Club, where she has competed since she was a sophomore.
The addition of more volleyball on a national scale arrived just when she needed it. She was going through a difficult period in her personal life and felt trapped by her blues.
However, volleyball has always provided her with an escape. A guiding light. The solution that heals all wounds.
“Now, looking back on that experience, at the end of the day, I can wholeheartedly say that volleyball saved my life,” Sperl told the newspaper. “When I was having a bad day or feeling lost, I’d go to the gym and ask the coach to open it up for me.
“It was more of an escape. I could put everything aside and go touch the ball, and I would be fine.”
Abbotsford coach John Kreeger said one of the first things he noticed about Sperl when he first saw her play in eighth grade was her determination.
By the time she was a freshman, she had already established herself as an elite player, but her defensive abilities stood out the most.
“So her freshman year we had two juniors that were going to start,” she explained. “One was an all-conference setter who was returning. One was another setter I’d coached on varsity for two years, and both were well-suited to my tempo-based style of play. We want to complete everything quickly.
“The main difference between Faith and the all-conference setter was defense. She listened and understood what her team required, and her goal was not just to be good at one thing, but to be the best volleyball player on the court.
She made an undeniable impression in her first opportunity to demonstrate her abilities at the high school level.
“At our very first tournament, I actually hadn’t decided on who won the job yet,” Kreeger told the crowd. “I told them both that Faith would get the first start in her first game, and that how she performed would determine whether or not the other setters got a chance. But Faith didn’t leave the court after that.
As a junior last season, Sperl received unanimous first-team all-conference honors in the Marawood North Conference, honorable mention all-state, and all-academic recognition.
As a senior, she is on track to break school records with 2,000 assists, 1,000 digs, and 200 aces.
Despite all of Sperl’s lasting accolades, Kreeger will remember her genuine love for the game the most when she leaves the Abbotsford program.
“She’s one of the kids I’ve coached over the years that might love volleyball the most,” Kreeger told me. “I believe it is an important part of her life; she is dedicated to it and works hard to achieve it.
She’s the type of kid who doesn’t need to be told to do anything extra. You don’t have to encourage her to be better or more like herself, as she is naturally self-driven and motivated.
“Which is why the varsity stage was never too big for her.”
