With plenty of parental support, junior Carmella Vong balances horseback riding and volleyball
Although being committed to one sport is difficult enough for many student-athletes, junior Carmella Vong is actively involved with both horseback riding and volleyball. From a young age, she has comfortably juggled both activities.
Vong started playing recreational volleyball in second grade, when her father introduced her to the game. Horseback riding soon followed a year later. At the same time, Vong was also introduced to swimming, soccer, running and tennis, but horseback riding and volleyball were the two activities that she connected with. As a result, she has managed to maintain involvement with both activities for the past eight years, with the support of two very dedicated parents.
Her father, who has been involved in volleyball since childhood, takes an active role in Vong’s volleyball career. He has always showed support, driving her to tournaments and practices as well as coaching some of her youth volleyball teams. Transportation to horseback riding practices and competitions has been the responsibility of her mother. Even so, Vong’s parents are not overzealous about the role of athletics in their child’s development.
“Our first priority for Carmella is academics,” her father, Ben Vong said. “Volleyball and horseback riding are nice to have, but I don’t think she’s playing because of a scholarship.”
Between volleyball and horseback riding, Vong seems to put a more competitive emphasis on volleyball. A club teammate from City Beach, junior Savannah Day, notices how Vong likes to show her competitive side all the time, but still act as a supportive teammate.
“Carmella was the only other person I really knew at first [on City Beach]. We carpooled a lot and it was a lot of fun because she was always in a good mood,” Day said.
Day is certain that Vong will thrive on the school team, noting the vast improvements Vong has made since they first started playing together. Vong’s abundance of energy on the court is greatly valued, whether as an outside hitter or a middle blocker.
When asked what her plans would be if the time commitment proved to be too much to handle, dropping either sport never crossed her mind.
“First, I would do area league volleyball instead of power [league] and focus on volleyball during the school season,” Vong said. “Then, it would be reducing horseback riding, [spending time with the horses] fewer days a week.”
