“It’s always ‘we over me,’” is a phrase that Meredeth Seif has known to be true after years of playing volleyball. Over the course of her career, the 16-year-old athlete has not only grown in technical skill, but also in her understanding of the power of a team.

Meredeth first picked up a volleyball in fifth grade, and since then, hasn’t been able to put it down. Now a middle blocker on the junior varsity team at Dublin Jerome High School, she trains under the coaching staff there, crediting them for significantly contributing to her learning and growth. 

In addition to her coaches, the young athlete also looks up to Janice Leao and Kaley Rammelsberg from the Columbus Fury team, whose games she frequently enjoys going to.

Meredeth has taken her skills all across Ohio, traveling for various tournaments for both her club and school volleyball teams. Though she’s made many memories from her career so far, she remembers most fondly the moment she got an impressive kill from the middle, which made her coach so excited that he jumped up out of his seat and flipped over his chair in celebration. As further evidence of Meredeth’s skill, she was recognized with a best blocker award in eighth grade, as well as an offensive player of the year recognition in her freshman year.

While Meredeth enjoys being able to swing at the ball and making blocks, kills, and aces, what she loves even more is her team. “We over me” is a mantra the Dublin Jerome volleyball program repeats often, reminding all players that no matter what personal challenges they’re facing, whether it’s a bad day or a poor grade, their team is always there to support, making them stronger together.

Evidently, that rings true both on and off the court. Meredeth and her team often participate in volunteering events together, visiting nursing homes and collecting donations for various organizations.

Meredeth plans to continue playing volleyball past high school, whether it’s playing for her college or on a club team, but in the meantime, she’s taking what she’s learned so far and passing it along. For any aspiring volleyball players, she emphasizes that communication is key, so be vocal and constantly call for the ball. But perhaps most of all, she encourages everyone to believe in yourself and always support your teammates..