Two of a Kind: The Billhardt Duo
NEIRAD enilno edition
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Unlike most seniors, senior Colby Billhardt does not have that fall stress of deciding where she wants to go to college next year. That’s because she’s already committed to the University of Connecticut, where she will play for the Division 1 Volleyball team! So how did they find her?
Coaches Holly Strauss and Tim O'Brien have had their eyes on Colby since her sophomore year, watching her play at tournaments for the club team, Connecticut Impact. After sending many emails, game and highlight tapes, Colby was offered a spot on the team. With much consideration, Colby verbally committed knowing that she loved the coaches and the team environment. Colby said, “I knew I could be comfortable with them for the four years I would be there and my parents could still come to all my games...They were pumped about that part!”
It seems that everybody has high hopes for Colby. Co-captain and friend, senior Sarah Gorski said “Her great spirit and positivity are two characteristics that will bring her far in life. I think UConn was a great choice for her, and I think she will have a great time at school.”
Colby hasn’t always played volleyball. She started off horseback riding in first grade, and eventually became a nationally ranked show jumper traveling all over the country. By the time she got to 7th grade, her family decided the schedule was too overwhelming to maintain. After doing a few camps with Coach Laurie LaRusso, Colby decided to try out for the team. It must have been one of the best decisions she has made.
Colby plays for the DHS volleyball team during the fall season, from August to the end of November. After being on Varsity for the past three years, she was named one of the captains her senior year. From December to the end of May, Colby travels around the nation participating in tournaments with a club program called Connecticut Impact Volleyball. She is really looking forward to playing for UCONN and “it's always been a dream of mine to play Division 1 volleyball in the Big East!” Colby said.
Following in her footsteps is her younger brother, junior Calder Billhardt. He started going to his big sister’s games during his 8th grade year. “Coach LaRusso started asking me to play since my first day of freshman year,” Calder said. “I went to some of my sister's practices and started to like it, so I went out for the team.”
Calder is immersed in volleyball year-round. During the fall season, he supports Colby by managing the girls’ volleyball team. Following that, he plays for Connecticut Impact during the winter, traveling all over the country to play in tournaments. From March until early June, he plays for the DHS boys’ volleyball team. A week or two after his high school team ends, his club team starts practicing again to play at Junior Nationals. Then for the rest of the summer he attends camps and clinics.
Colby and Calder have not actually ever been on the same team, but you can find them playing pick-up games anywhere a volleyball net is present. This is a great learning experience for the two of them. Colby definitely helped Calder learn a lot of the basics when he started playing. “Now we just give each other tips and just helpful things that we both notice” Calder said.
“Calder is a great coach and his advice really helps me a lot!” Colby said. “He'll be happy I'm giving him credit because when he does give me tips I usually yell at him.” That’s hard to imagine, because the two have a very close bond. Unlike most brothers and sisters, Colby and Calder get along great and are always cheering each other on. Both were quick to praise the other’s accomplishments.
“Calder and Colby have a really unique relationship that most brothers and sisters don’t have,” Gorski said. “They never fight and through the thick and thin, they always support one another.”
With Colby’s advice and encouragement, Calder has definitely become a “talented and gifted athlete,” Colby said. He plans to play volleyball in college, just like his sister. He’s already looking at a few schools and talking to some coaches. After college, he hopes to play professionally in Europe.
This duo seems to be unstoppable. When not playing on the volleyball court, they can be found swimming, running and Colby even plays guitar! Their family, friends and coaches all know they will both go far. So look out for the Billhardts fighting for the DHS volleyball teams this year and even other teams in the future!
