STATE VOLLEYBALL: Hook serving notice at state

By Jake Nordbye, Journal Correspondent | Friday, November 21, 2008

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RAPID CITY — After one day at the state volleyball tournament and hundreds of thunderous spikes, one girl leads the way — Philip’s Sierra Hook.

Hook smashed 20 kills in the Scotties first-round win in Class B over Mt. Vernon. Philip head coach Kim Bouman said the senior middle hitter has been doing all season long.

“She’s a phenomenal player,” Bouman said. “She stepped up and hit so well for us in that first game. Not only is she a great attacker but she is a great leader for us. She’s been doing it her whole career. Sierra brings great energy to the court and our players just feed off of everything she does.”

Hook was a one-player wrecking crew against Mt. Vernon, hitting left, right and center. She has the ability to hit for power or with touch. She had 300 kills this season coming into the state tournament, which led the Scotties.

“As a freshman we could see she was going to develop into a good hitter, but she’s really turned into a force to be reckoned with, I think she’s one of the best hitters in the state, and I don’t know if anyone can stop her,” Bouman said. 

Hook has played on the varsity in Philip for four years, and plans on playing college volleyball at either South Dakota State University or Augustana. 

“I’ve been playing volleyball since I was in the sixth grade, hitting has always been my strength even as a kid, and coach Bouman has been here the whole time teaching me and so it’s good to be here in the situation we’re in.”

Hook’s passion for the game is apparent in everything she does on the court from diving for balls to smashing winners. Admittedly, she is a player that wears her emotions on her sleeve.

“A lot of younger girls on the team look up to me, so I try to lead the way and keep them relaxed,” said Hook. “My passion comes from my competitiveness, I’m very competitive and I love to win.”

Hook and the Scotties will battle the No.1-seeded Chester Area in the semifinals tonight at 6 p.m. and the chance to play for a state title is something that Hook relishes.

However, she says it is one step at a time for the Scotties.

“We have to be focused and we can’t overlook anyone,” said Hook. “Our crowd was great today and they get us really excited, we love to hear our fans cheer for us. We just have to play our game.”