Riley Campbell plays for 575 15-1 Lakepoint Russel, where she takes the court as a pin hitter, defensive specialist, and libero. Known for her versatility and passion, Riley started playing volleyball at the age of five and has grown into a determined athlete with a strong foundation rooted in family, faith, and hard work. Her love for the sport shines through in every drill, game, and goal she sets.

How did you get started playing volleyball, and what made you fall in love with the sport?
My mom and aunt both played volleyball in college and throughout high school, so my mom started putting me into camps and clinics when I was around five years old. I did two seasons of 10s year, but I wasn’t fully in love with the sport yet. I then did my third year of club, which was 11s, and I loved it. I wanted to play every single day.

What position do you play, and what do you enjoy most about it?
I am a pin hitter. The thing I love the most is how I get to be effective in offense and defense. Serve receive is one of my favorite things to be a part of, and after I pass, then I get to go hit.

How do you balance academics, volleyball, and personal time during the season?
I manage my academics, volleyball, and personal time during the season very effectively and efficiently. I make sure when I have off days I get all of my schoolwork done, and even sometimes on the weekends. I make sure to plan things around when I don’t have volleyball so that way, I can have my whole week planned out.

What’s your favorite memory from your volleyball experience?
My absolute favorite memory of my club volleyball experience is this past year at Big South. This was a qualifier tournament, so my team knew that we needed to win to get a bid to Nationals. We made it to the Elite Eight in the gold bracket on the last day and had to play our rival team that we had previously lost to the day before. We ended up going to three sets and beat them. This meant that we got a bid to Nationals. This was such a special moment for me and my team that I will never forget!

What’s a typical training day like for you during the season?
A typical training day for me looks like a quick and short workout before school every other day. Then I go to school and make sure I fuel my body with foods that give me nutrition. After, I have practice. But on days that I don’t have practice, I make sure to train and do workouts six out of seven days a week.

How would you describe your team’s chemistry this season?
Most of my club team is new this season, but I think so far we get along pretty well. I can’t wait to start the season and get to meet everybody and know more about them.

What’s one drill or workout you secretly enjoy (or hate to love)?
I love serve receive drills because I feel like they are very beneficial, and you really get the time to work on something that is so important.

How do you prepare mentally and physically for a game or big tournament?
I make sure to include God when I prepare mentally and physically before a big game or tournament because I know that He will have the best for me and that He can guide me through whatever I need. I find Bible verses that I think will be beneficial before each tournament, and I read them. I sometimes print them out and put them in my shoes.

What personal goals have you set for yourself this season?
One personal goal that I have set for myself this season is to play hard and play my best. I want to make sure that I am never going to give up, and I always have something to work towards.

What motivates you to keep pushing through tough practices or losses?
Something that motivates me to keep pushing through tough practices or losses is knowing that the best is yet to come. I know that if I keep working and keep training harder and harder every day, I will get the outcome that I want.

Where do you see yourself in volleyball over the next 3–5 years?
I pray every day that I see myself knowing where I’m going to play in college in the next 3 to 5 years. I pray that I am verbally committed somewhere that God has a place for me.

How do you handle pressure during close matches or high-stakes points?
Every time during close matches and high-stakes points, I make sure to say a little prayer on the court. I think talking to God during your sport will really help you find peace and motivation when you’re in tough times.

Favorite volleyball player or team you look up to?
My favorite volleyball player that I look up to is Ella Swindle. She plays volleyball at the University of Texas. I really look up to her because she’s a Christian athlete who knows how to play the game and has such a good relationship with God. She shares what you should be doing, including God in your sports. Hook ‘em horns.

Do you have any pre-game rituals, superstitions, or pump-up songs?
I am a very superstitious person before every single tournament, so yes. I eat the same breakfast every morning, lay my clothes out the night before a tournament, and mentally prepare myself.

What’s your go-to post-tournament meal or snack?
I really do love tournament açaí bowls, but I make sure I get them on the last day of a tournament. In my lunchbox, I make sure to carry Boom Chicka Pop and some sort of sweet-and-sour candy.

If you weren’t playing volleyball, what sport would you try instead?
If I wasn’t playing volleyball, I would definitely want to do swim, which I did when I was younger, or baseball because my brother plays and I think it’s so fun!

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