By Hayden Swope

Baylee Brin, a volleyball athlete from Salina South, was chosen as the American Family Insurance Athlete of the Month for September. As a senior, Brin is very excited to see her work paying off.

“It means a lot for me to be chosen as athlete of the month,” Brin said. “I’ve put in a lot of work to succeed and grow in the sports I play, and to be recognized for it is very fulfilling.”

Brin spent the summer leading up to the season very busy, using as much time as she could to focus on the game.

“I spent a lot of the summer preparing for this upcoming season,” Brin said. “I was at weights three times a week in the mornings, at open gyms twice a week, and playing summer league games every Wednesday night. I also attended a couple college camps to get opinions from other coaches.”

Brin’s biggest goal this season was to better not only herself, but her stats as well.

“My biggest goal this season is to beat my blocking record from last year,” Brin said. “Last season I finished the season with 54 stuff blocks which put me on the overall South High leaderboard. I also wanted to improve my hitting percentage, and get more opportunities to serve. So far, I am on the right track to do so.”

Brin plans to continue playing volleyball at the next level, as well as maintaining her academic courses.

“I am planning on attending a community college for two years, and then transferring to Kansas State as a student,” Brin said. “I have yet to decide where, but I am excited to take this next step. After college I plan on becoming a financial advisor while living somewhere in Kansas.”