Athlete of the Week: Haley Higgins, Foundation girls volleyball

At 6-foot-2, Foundation Academy junior middle hitter and Georgetown commit Haley Higgins has been an absolute rock for the Lady Lions girls volleyball team over the past two seasons. She has helped lead the program to a 32-11 overall record with her team-high 85 total blocks while also adding 486 combined kills across her 149 sets played. 

Regardless of where Higgins is playing — whether it’s for the Lions or on the club volleyball circuit — she has been recognized as one of the area’s top players. Recently she was named one of the MVPs at the Under Armor Next Camp Series stop in Orlando, won Foundation’s 2024-25 volleyball Heart of Lion award and she also was selected to USA Volleyball Florida region’s All-Tournament U17 team and the 2024-25 NCSAA All-American Second Team.

Beyond her achievements as an athlete, Higgins also gets the job done in the classroom. She was named to the honor roll in each of her two years in high school and won the American Legion Award.

THE BASICS

Age: 16

Sport: Volleyball

Grade: Junior 

School: Foundation Academy

Q&A

How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week? 

It is such an honor. It makes me proud of the work I’ve put in and makes me want to push myself to be better in practices and games. It also makes me thankful for my coaches and teammates for pushing me to always be my best. 

What do you enjoy the most about volleyball?

My favorite thing about volleyball is that it is a team sport and you have to rely on your teammates during every play. I also love the people that I’ve met through volleyball. Without volleyball, I wouldn’t have met some of my best friends. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from volleyball? 

I’ve learned that you don’t have to always be perfect. Bad games are part of the sport, but how you react to those games are what help you grow as a player. Volleyball has taught me to push through those mental challenges and to focus on the next play under pressure. 

Who is your favorite athlete? 

My favorite athlete is Harper Murray. She is an outside for Nebraska and, in my opinion, is one of the best college volleyball players right now. She constantly talks about how to improve your mentality when not everyone is rooting for you. 

What is your go-to pre-game meal? 

I usually have Chick-fil-A nuggets before a game, and I always have an energy drink. 

What is your go-to pre-game hype song? 

“The Prodigal” by Josiah Queen or anything by Olivia Rodrigo. 

What is your favorite non-sports hobby? 

I love either painting or drawing and hanging out with my friends. 

What is your favorite subject in school? 

My favorite subject has always been math, because I like having a definite answer to every question. I love working through problems and being challenged. 

What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?

I would take a fishing net, a tarp and a lighter. I don’t like eating fish, but if it was the only food source, I would have to get used to it. 

What is your favorite movie?

My favorite movie is “Tangled,” because everyone says I look like Rapunzel. 

If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go? 

I like the 2000s, but if I have to choose, I would go back to the ’80s, because the music is so good, and it seems like a lot of fun. 

If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be? 

I would just want to know if there is anything about my life that I would change and if I am happy. 

If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go? 

Paris because I’ve always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower; Hawaii because the views and beaches look amazing; and Greece because it has beautiful islands and buildings. 

What is your most controversial food take? 

I only eat steak well-done. 

Does pineapple belong on pizza?

I think it belongs on certain types of pizza. Definitely not my go-to choice, though. I’m a pepperoni pizza kind of girl.