Nutley Female Athlete of the Month

Jessica Robinson

“Jessica Robinson is an outside hitter and captain for the Nutley High School volleyball team. Jessica has been playing at the varsity level since she was a freshmen. Her leadership skills are apparent both on and off the court. Jessica’s level of play is strong all around the court.
She is an outstanding defensive player,
but also obtains at least 5-6 kills per
game. She received second team
all league last year.”

— Jenna Dwyer, head coach, NHS girls volleyball

How was your summer?
What did you do?
My summer was very relaxing and stress-free. I spent the majority of my time on the beach reading a book, hanging out with my friends, and working at Centre Ridge Garden Center. Of course, when August strolled around and preseason approached it was time to get back into the swing of things. I ran in the mornings, worked on some skills with the help of my older brother, and conditioned before jumping into my pool to cool off. Overall, my summer was well-spent doing the things I love with the people I love.
What got you into volleyball?
My mother introduced me to the sport and taught me the basics when I was 7 years old. It took me a while to get the hang of it and I hated that my arms were always red and hurt but once I pushed through that rocky phase it soon became my passion. My older brother worked with me and would pepper with me in my
backyard for hours on end and I believe it was the constant practice that made
the sport more appealing and developed the skills I have today.
As the captain, how do you inspire your teammates?
Being a captain is a big responsibility and honor, but sometimes people misconstrue the meaning of what being a leader truly means. Some view it as an excuse to dictate and control others and they place themselves on a pedestal because of the title given to them. I hope to inspire my teammates by setting the example that a captain is a person who is, on every level, equal to them and the only power my title gives me is to help encourage and motivate my players to be better on and off the court. If my team takes anything away from my time as a captain I hope it is to always go outside of their comfort zone. Improvement comes when one exceeds the limits that they set for themselves, and I hope I lead by example when I say that fear should never keep a person from
trying to achieve new skills.
What is your favorite on-court memory?
My favorite on-court memory would have to be at the county finals against Mt. St. Dominic Academy my freshman year. It was the day of the Senior Cruise and the days leading up to the game were filled with friction and controversy within the team because it was possible they would miss a very memorable night. Despite their worry and anger, we showed up to the game and when we stepped onto the court it was like every issue that mattered a few minutes ago, no longer had any importance. We played our hearts out, we dove to the floor with no hesitation, we put up a strong fight, and even though we faced defeat in the third set with the end score of 27-25 it was the determination and willingness of my team that left me in awe. I could actually feel us working as a collective unit, and we all weren’t just thinking the same thought, we were all feeling that way. It was this game that reminded me why I love the sport so much. No matter how hard my day was, there is an unexplainable feeling that comes every time I step onto the court. Every worry and fear drops and the only thing that matters is getting the next point. I think besides the enjoyment of playing volleyball, every player can agree that there is a certain magic that masks every bad thing the moment the ref blows the whistle, and the county final game reminds me why I am so
dedicated to the sport.
Senior year! Any post-grad plans yet?
I am hoping to attend Rutgers New Brunswick this fall and continue playing volleyball on a club team. I am very excited for the future and working my way toward a degree along with forming new friendships and experiences while still playing volleyball.
Favorite TV show? Singer?
My favorite TV show at the moment would have to be “Stranger Things.” It is a Netflix Original set in the 1980s about an investigation for a missing boy that unmasks truths about the government, supernatural forces, and an unusual girl. My favorite singers right now would have to be Keaton Henson, Mac Demarco,
and Bon Iver.
What do you look for in a role model?
A person who I would consider to be a role model is someone who fights for what they believe in. I look up to the person who stands out in a crowd and isn’t afraid to stand alone even when people try to discourage them. I think that it takes a certain kind of courage that many people have, but few act on because they follow the “norms” set forth by society. Almost all of the heroes and role models in history and today are people who were often misunderstood and looked down upon at one point or another but instead of following the majority they stood alone, persevered, and succeeded.
Are you into social media?
Facebook, Twitter or Instagram?
I do have all forms of social media, but I am not constantly on the sites. I think that there are perks to having social media and it helps people stay connected and aware but it is not something that I will spend hours on. It is nice to check up on
a few times a day but I am a firm believer that going out and experiencing things
is more pleasurable than sitting around looking at a screen.