- November 27, 2024
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When high school athletes are told that they failed to make the teams they tried out for, they either transfer to other schools or try out for other sports. Not Tori Huffman.
After her eighth grade year, Huffman was encouraged by Mainland’s head coach, Sandy Garner to try out for the junior varsity volleyball. She tried out but didn’t make the team.
“My best friend made the team, and I didn’t,” Huffman said. “Seeing them so excited about winning made me really emotional.” Although she didn’t make the team the JV coach offered her a spot on the practice team to gain more experience, so she happily accepted it.
“I felt like if I kept trying, I would get better,” she said. Huffman practiced with the Lady Bucs the whole season, but she was never allowed to dress out with the team during the game. She wore street clothes and sat on the end of the bench or in the stands, when the team played.
“She really, really wanted to be a part of the team so badly,” Andrea Huffman, her mother said. “I was there supporting her, because it was really hard for her to swallow, not being able to play on game day.”
Andrea Huffman decided to volunteer for the Lady Buccaneers during the season her daughter didn’t play. She supported the team, as if her daughter was a starter.
“Andrea won the Volunteer of the Year award,” Garner said. “She was very supportive of all the other girls, and she attended all the game.”
“Her (Andrea’s) heart was in it, and she wanted to play,” Andrea Huffman said. “That’s what parents are there for. She sat on the bench with no jersey, and it was hard for her. I wanted to be there for her.”
Tori Huffman would eventually get her opportunity to play, at the end of the season. She’s made the most of it. When the season was over, Huffman joined the Florida Elite, a volleyball club team, and she worked with Embry Riddle University’s setter, Tamires Ferreira, three nights a week to get better. All her hard work paid off. She earned a starting position for the Lady Bucs varsity team.
“She’s become consistent with her setting,” Garner said about her starting setter. “Her overall knowledge of the game has gotten much better. “
This season Tori Huffman rarely leaves the court. Huffman recorded a personal best 16 serving points against Palatka on Sept. 10. In the Lady Bucs comeback match against Matanzas, she had personal bests 31 assists and 18 digs on Sept. 25.
“I’ve tried every single sport before this one, and volleyball was the only one that I liked,” Huffman added. “I like meeting new people. I like bonding and making memories with my teammates.”
“Huffman’s story can be used as encouragement for other players who may not get to play,” Garner said. “We had a practice player this year that couldn’t handle it. She quit.” Huffman just got better.
