We’re proud to be a part of an ongoing partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods, which is sponsoring our Player of the Week award. We’ll be releasing a featured vballrecruiter.com Player of the Week, sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, on Tuesdays. Below is this week’s Player of the Week: Aubrey DeGrate.

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Growing up Aubrey DeGrate wasn’t afraid of trying new things. But playing volleyball wasn’t necessarily something she ever saw herself getting into. Her activities included cheer, dancing and tumbling. She even did modeling. Then one day it all changed.

“I thought I would be a dancer or doing cheer, then one day I went to a friend’s volleyball game and thought it’s something I would like to try,” DeGrate said. “I didn’t see myself playing basketball, volleyball or anything like it. I was not good at first and really had to work at it. Everything else I did I was good at right away, but this was something I really had to work at to get better.”

The team environment and just being part of a new sport in general really drew DeGrate to volleyball. She was excited simply because she hadn’t done anything like it before. What kept her going was the challenge of it all.

“I’m definitely competitive and have the drive,” she said. “I get it from my mom. She’s really competitive, especially when it comes to any board games.”

DeGrate started off playing recreation at 11 and spent her first couple of club seasons playing for clubs that are no longer in existence. She moved to Madfrog the season before this last one and is currently playing high school at Wylie, where she made the varsity team as a freshman.

The current coach at Wylie saw DeGrate’s potential in junior high, so she was hoping she would make the varsity cut this season. But she did admit she was a little nervous it wasn’t going to happen.

“I knew my coach liked me as a player, so I wasn’t really shocked to be on varsity but I was relieved,” she said. “I know I was overthinking the situation.”

Not only did DeGrate make the team, she’s been a steady presence for the Pirates. She’s appeared in all but one set so far. She entered the week with 103 kills, averaging 1.3 per set. She’s been even better on defense, putting up 44 blocks, which is second. She posted a season-high nine kills in a sweep against Lakeview Centennial in August and hit a season-best .889 with eight kills in a sweep over South Garland earlier this month.

When it comes to volleyball, DeGrate said she’s aiming to earn a scholarship and play in college. She loves the opportunity the sport has opened for her, including getting to travel to new places and meeting new friends. And one more important aspect as well.

“Definitely the competition too and striving to be better,” she said.

There are aspirations outside of volleyball as well. DeGrate has always enjoyed modeling and is into fashion too. The modeling slowed as volleyball came into the picture and took up more of her time, but she still does it on the side when she can.

“I can see myself being an influencer and getting NIL deals,” she said. “That’s a goal of mine. Fashion is like my own setting. I’m a different person. It brings out my confidence. I would like to get my social media up and continue on with fashion.”

As our featured Player of the Week sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, we recently spoke with DeGrate about volleyball and more.

Who is a role model or someone you look up to?

DeGrate: Somebody I look up to is Angel Reese. Even though she plays a different sport, she dominates in her sport and uses her platform to encourage young girls. That’s something I would like to do in the future and it motivates me to do the same things. She models stuff too, so she is someone I really look up to.

What is your favorite food?

DeGrate: My favorite food is Chipotle for sure. I could eat that every day, or any type of Mexican food. I definitely like tacos, like street tacos, or nachos.

Other than volleyball, what skill would you most like to learn and why?

DeGrate: I definitely would like to get better at public speaking and work on my communication skills. That’s something I feel like I will need in the future and could use work on that.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be and why?

DeGrate: I would go on a shopping spree and buy clothes, shoes and make up. I would go to Chipotle and hang out with my friends.

Aside from necessities, what is one thing you could not go a day without?

DeGrate: One thing I can’t go a day without is music. I listen to music in the morning and throughout the day. It sets the tone of the day. When I’m going through lots of things music helps get me in a good mood. I definitely listen to a lot of music. It sets the energy I need. I have a wider range. I like gospel, rap and 90s R&B.

What is one thing that instantly makes your day better or makes you smile?

DeGrate: It’s definitely seeing other people smile as well as making someone else’s day. Also my mom in general, just having conversations with her because she’s my best friend.

If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?

DeGrate: It would be having the ability to read minds. I’m an overthinker and knowing what someone else is thinking or wondering about me would answer all of my questions.

Outside of volleyball what are you most passionate about and why?

DeGrate: I’m most passionate about my family and friends and making sure our bonds stay tight. Nothing is more important than family and true friends. They are the ones who support me in everything I do and keeping those bonds is important.

What is one thing that may surprise people about you?

DeGrate: Some people might think I’m intimidating because of my height, but when you talk to me I’m kind and outgoing. I love to laugh and giggle and goof around with people. Also, I secretly like to line dance with my dad.

What is your strangest irrational fear?

DeGrate: It’s definitely birds because one day I was at the park and I sat underneath trees and a bird pooped on me. So I don’t sit under trees anymore. Also, I don’t like cats because they are feisty.

What’s your favorite number and why?

DeGrate: My favorite number is lucky number 13. My birthday is Sept. 13 and I have had that number for two years on the volleyball court.