Addison Trail alumna receives All-American recognition during 2017 AAU Girls Junior National Volleyball Championships

Addison Trail alumna Sarah Petrbok (class of 2017) recently received All-American recognition during the 2017 AAU Girls Junior National Volleyball Championships.

That event took place from June 14 to 26 in Orlando, Fla. Petrbok said to earn that honor, she had to be selected by the coaches through a vote that was based on her performance throughout the season and at the National Championships. She also had to place in her age division at Nationals.

“It’s very humbling,” Petrbok said of being named as an All-American. “Participating in a travel sport requires a lot of time, and you have to be very committed. There’s a lot of sacrifice, as you sometimes have to miss out on other high school experiences, so it’s an amazing feeling to know all that hard work has paid off and others have noticed that dedication as well.”

Petrbok began playing volleyball when she was in sixth grade and was a four-year member of the Addison Trail Varsity Girls Volleyball Team. She also plays for Sports Performance Volleyball Club in Aurora, which is a travel team that competes throughout the U.S.

“What I love about the sport of volleyball is the team aspect – you need all six people on the court,” Petrbok said. “Each position needs to work together to make a play happen.”

In the fall, Petrbok will join the Women’s Volleyball Team at Minnesota State University Moorhead. She said her experience at Addison Trail has prepared her for the college level.

“Our team started off struggling – we didn’t really have any leaders to guide the program,” Petrbok said. “My class came together to help build the program up and find a path to success. I’ve been through the lows and the highs, and I feel prepared for what’s next. From the day I started playing volleyball, I fell in love with the sport – and I can’t imagine my life without it.”