After playing on varsity all four years of high school, Ariyanna Johnson (12) has made herself known as one of the most successful players on the team. Not only did she help lead her team to wins against Waverly and Everett, she is also the current Lansing State Journal stat leader for average kills per set.

With improvements she’s made in her blocking and ability to read the court, Johnson has made a fundamental change in her play this season.

“I can’t swing on every ball and every spot on the court isn’t always open, so being able to find the spots that are, and knowing that there’s a time and place for when you’re supposed to do things has really helped my game,” Johnson said.

While changes in technique and overall gameplay have helped Johnson a lot, her teammates have assisted her even more.

“My team really motivates me,” Johnson said. “Every single year, they have all pushed me to be better. They’ve all held me accountable, and it’s made me a better volleyball player as well as a better person.”

During tournaments, Johnson noted how her teammates help her stay motivated during tough back-to-back matches.

“At our tournament when we played Constantine, I really had to be tough then, not only for myself, but also for my teammates,” Johnson said. “I really had to push myself and push my teammates to finish the game and be able to come out with the win.”

For Johnson, the most intense match ups are what make the team stronger.

“The Okemos match is always pretty rough,” Johnson said. “We usually lose to Okemos. Being able to take a set from them and [or] finding a way to be aggressive can be tough sometimes, but with the girls on our team, it definitely makes it a lot easier.”