Growing up, Hilary Sears wanted to be just like her sister. So when
it came time to decide which sport to play, volleyball was the natural
choice, since her sister was an avid player. She started in the eighth
grade and is the first to admit it wasn鈥檛 something that came naturally.
鈥淵ou
know how sometimes you see someone play for the first time and they鈥檙e
so naturally gifted and finessed? I wasn鈥檛 one of those!鈥� she laughs.
鈥淏ut it kept my interest because not only is it physically challenging,
it鈥檚 also very technical and strategic.鈥�
Today, she鈥檚 not only a
setter for the Dalhousie Tigers, but a star student who鈥檚 in the third
year of her mechanical engineering degree. She was honoured last month
at the Academic All-Canadian luncheon that recognizes exceptional
students who excel athletically and academically. Ms. Sears has made the
Dean鈥檚 List and received the Dalhousie Alumni Leadership Scholarship
and the International Baccalaureate Renewable Scholarship on top of
being a celebrated athlete.
"Just breathe"
Through hard work, training from her dedicated coaches at an early age, and getting in the best physical shape possible, Ms. Sears has made the sport look effortless along with maintaining the grades that earned her an Academic All-Canadian 鈥� twice. 聽
How does she do it?
鈥淏eing so busy doesn鈥檛 allow for much down time but it certainly teaches you time management,鈥� says the Truro native. 鈥淎nd when I do have 鈥榦ne of those days鈥� my parents are always there to lift me up and say, 鈥楯ust breathe, Hilary.鈥欌��
Although a hectic schedule doesn鈥檛 always leave room to stay in the social loop, Ms. Sears enjoys spending time with her teammates who, as is the case for many athletes, quickly become like family.
鈥淕oing to practice every day is like going to hang out with your best friends or family,鈥� Ms. Sears says. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a sense of pride when you belong to a team that you don鈥檛 get anywhere else.鈥澛�