Photo: Saint Mark’s High School
Delaware Sports Blitz recently had the honor to chat with Savannah Seemans who is a Saint Mark’s high school alum (’20) and incoming University of Delaware freshman volleyball player.
In her senior year at Saint Mark’s, Seemans had 305 kills, 285 digs, 46 service aces, and 25 blocks on the volleyball court. The Spartan outside hitter helped lead her team to a 17-2 record and a spot in the state championship game. The Newark, Delaware native finished her high school athletic career with over 1,000 kills.
The Saint Marks volleyball standout received numerous accolades for her play which includes The Delaware Coaches Association Player of the Year, A three-time first-team All-State selection, Two-time team captain, 2019-20 Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American, all-conference accolades, member of the National Honor Society and Delaware Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year in 2019.
Seemans is the first Saint Mark’s volleyball player to be awarded the Delaware Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year since Abbie Mirabella received it in the 2013-2014 season. This is the fifth time a Saint Mark’s volleyball player has received this honor.
Not only does Seemans grind on the court but off the court, she puts the work in with her studies as she graduated with a 4.0 GPA. The Saint Marks graduate earned a scholarship to continue her education and volleyball career at the University of Delaware.
The family tradition continues as Seemans comes from a family of Spartans and Blue Hens ( parents, sister, aunts, and uncles attended UD).
Even with sports and school on her plate, Seemans still finds time to give back to her community. The Saint Mark’s volleyball player has volunteered her time at the local food bank, nursing homes, and helping at youth volleyball camps. At Saint Mark’s she was a Blue Gold Buddy captain which was a club that allowed students to create friendships with people in the community who have intellectual disabilities.
Seemans talks about everything from how volleyball was not the first sport she loved and how it was like graduating during the pandemic.
Check out it below!
How did you start playing sports?
My family was always into sports and I played soccer for most of my life. My sister played volleyball at Saint Mark’s and I just decided to try out for volleyball in middle school. I fell in love with the game and just kept playing it when I got to high school.
What is the best part of playing your particular position?
The best part of being outside hitter is hitting. In my position, you have a lot of control and have to be there for everyone else on the team, which helps a lot.
How do you stay motivated during the highs and lows of a season?
Setting a goal at the beginning of the season and always remembering that goal throughout the season. No matter what happens, it is pretty motivating. Just have to keep reminding yourself, that you are doing this for more than just yourself and doing it for your teammates and coaches.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced and how did you overcome it?
I tore my ACL during the state championship game which has definitely been the biggest obstacle I had to overcome. Working hard and staying positive throughout the whole process has really helped. Also, depending on people that have been there for me and have kept me motivated has helped a lot too.
Does your injury give you more to prove as you go to college?
It definitely has made me appreciate volleyball more and the time I get to play it more. It has made me really excited to get back to playing.
What do you feel is your greatest strength?
My determination and I am a hard worker. I know you cannot reach a goal if you do not put the hard work into it.
What do you feel you are weakest at and how do you work on to improve it?
Being too hard on myself or getting in my head too much. I think over the past couple of years playing at a more competitive level, I definitely have learned how to overcome that with being more patient with myself.
What has a former or current coach taught you, that you still use today on or off the playing field?
I would say everything happens for a reason because you will learn something from every experience you go through. Whether it is the worst experience of your life or one of the greatest, you will learn something and it will make you become a better person. Just need to have the right mindset about it.
Describe some of the highlights of your athletic career.
My favorite memory would be when my travel team earned third at nationals and I was on the All-Tournament team. Also, this past volleyball season because the team ( Saint Mark’s) really came together and just performed every single game. Winning Gatorade Player of the Year was really awesome.
You gave the Gatorade Play It Forward grant to the Muscle Movement Foundation. Why is the foundation important to you?
( Author’s note: The Gatorade Play It Forward initiative works in conjunction with the Gatorade Player of the Year program to empower student-athletes to provide resources to sports organizations in their community. Muscle Movement Foundation helps families who are affected by neuromuscular diseases. )
Mr. DeMasi’s connection to Saint Mark’s and he has done some speeches at the school about the foundation. It is just really awesome and something that can go to use to help others. It is just a really good organization and they deserve it.
What is the best part of playing on a team?
The camaraderie and the relationships you build with your teammates. Also, being able to depend on and learn from your teammates and coaches.
In what ways, does playing a sport, help you with your studies?
It definitely shows me that I have to put my studies first before playing volleyball because if I do not perform in the classroom, then I cannot play. It also taught me how to balance my time, how to manage my time, and keep myself organized. It also taught me how to not get behind on things or procrastinate.
The pandemic transitioned your school from face to face to remote learning in your graduating year. How did you feel about the abnormal ending to your senior year?
It was definitely really sad that we did not have the typical senior year but I think Saint Mark’s did a good job with trying to make it special. Our graduation was really awesome and the school did a really good job with that. Just with studies, missing going to lunch with your friends, going to classes with your friends or saying goodbye to teachers. That was really sad but it was for a reason.
How would you like to be remembered by your teammates and coaches?
I would say, someone who is really hardworking, inspires other players to be a better version of themselves and someone who they can rely on, on and off the court.
Why did you choose to play at the University of Delaware?
The location, I did not want to go too far from home and the coaches there are awesome. They are building a really good culture there. I think it will be a good experience at UD.
Have you heard anything about the season happening during this unknown time with the pandemic?
(Authors note: This interview took place before the University of Delaware made the decision to suspend Fall sports)
The school is bringing a few players at a time and trying to do some workouts but there is not too much that is certain right now.
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