Diamond Decker sparkles in both softball, volleyball at Warren
Diamond Decker
Warren
Year: senior
GPA: 4.0
Favorite subject: art and psychology
Sports: softball, volleyball
Softball positions: shortstop and pitcher
Volleyball position: libero
College: undecided
Major: possibly something in the health profession
Family: Ian and Debbie Decker (father and mother); older brother Kyler
Question: What’s your favorite sport?
Answer: I think probably softball, because that’s the sport that I might be looking to play in college. But I enjoy both of them like crazy. I just love playing.
Q: How long have you been playing softball?
A: Since the third grade.
Q: How long have you been playing volleyball?
A: I’ve been playing for four to six years.
Q: Who got you interested in softball?
A: Probably my parents. I used to play Bantam League little league baseball in Marietta. But I couldn’t keep playing baseball through middle school-high school. So, I switched over to softball.
Q: Does your first name Diamond come from the sport of softball or baseball?
A: (Laughs) Actually, no. My dad came up with that. It’s not a nickname, either. It’s my actual name.
Q: Do you have a nickname?
A: (Smiles) Not really, but my dad calls me “D” and that’s about it.
Q: You’re going to college. Are you thinking of playing at the next level?
A: Yes, I have been at schools and stuff. But some of the head coaches from a couple of the schools that I’ve been looking at have moved to different schools this year. So, I’m not sure what I’ll be doing next year yet. I haven’t decided yet.
Q: Let’s talk some about volleyball. Looks like the team’s having a good year?
A: So far, we’ve been doing pretty well (Warren downed previously undefeated Fort Frye in 4 sets on Sept. 12.). We have a winning record (6-3 after the Fort match) so far. So, that’s good. We lost seven seniors last year.
Q: I think you’re a team captain this year?
A: Me and Victoria Lewis are the two senior captains this year. I’m excited to try to help out some of the younger players. I want to try to be a good role model for them.
Q: What is a libero’s responsibility?
A: The libero wears the other colored uniform, so we always get told we’re wearing the wrong uniform. (Laughs) We are only back row players. What we’re kind of for is we cut down on substitutions. So, when I go into the game for our two middle hitters, it doesn’t count as a substitution to our team. If we have one libero, that cuts out on two substitutions that we would have to do for both middles. And so we wear the other colored jersey so that the libero tracker knows when we go in and out for the middles so they can keep track of how many times that we go into the game.
I go out when Abby Gilliand serves, because she comes in and plays back row for that one rotation, and Autumn Miller’s in the front row. So, I get a water break there and get a little time to relax. Abby usually kicks some butt with some nice serves. (Laughs)
Q: When you’re on the court, you’re more defensive-minded, right?
A: Yes.
Q: So, how far can the Warriors go this year?
A: I think we can definitely go pretty far in the tournament. Last year, we made it to the sectional finals, but we ended up losing to Unioto, and they were a pretty solid team. But it was a good game. It was a battle. This year, we have a lot of talent returning and coming up. I feel like if we can get the rest of the season together and figure everything out that we need to, we could be a pretty good competitor in the tournament.
Q: Any career volleyball highlights that you’d like to share?
A: Probably the one moment of all my four years that sticks out the most is when one of my best friends Lakia Johnson got to play in her first varsity game. That was one of my favorite moments.
Q: Let’s switch over to softball. Have you always been a shortstop?
A: In my freshman year, I actually had to play left field, but that’s changed in the last couple of years. I love shortstop. That’s my favorite place to play.
Q: Are you going to be pitching more this year with Sarah Greenlee graduating?
A: Yeah, our pitcher graduated from last year. But actually we have a sophomore this year Mya Tucker, and she’s been working pretty hard on some of her spins and different pitches. And I know we have another junior Kennedy Sams. She pitches some, and she played a little last year, too.
Q: When you do hurl, what pitch do you rely on?
A: I have a few breaking pitches. I kind of like to mix them around, because I don’t really want to get stuck on the same thing. I like to try to change it up a little bit.
Q: During your softball career, how deep into the tournament have you gone?
A: In my sophomore year, we went to the regional semis and got beat by Lakewood, which ended up winning at state. They had a solid team and their pitcher was good.
Q: Any softball highlights that you would like to share?
A: My favorite highlights are after I hit a home run, and coming into home, there’s the entire team. That’s the best part about it is coming in and having your whole team around you. It’s a great feeling.
Q: You don’t try for home runs, do you?
A: Not really. I just try to be consistent, and like to have a decent batting average. I enjoy hitting. Contact is the key.
Q: Who’s your inspiration? Who’s helped impact your sports career?
A: There are a lot of people. But definitely my dad. He know more about the game than I even know. He knows it extremely well. And he always knows when I’m upset and what he needs to say to help me feel better.
And, then, there’s Jenny Lynch. She’s always been there. I’ve known her since junior high.
And, then, there’s my first pitching coach Lynn Laing. She’s actually a health teacher here at Warren She helped me get into softball in the beginning. She has a lot of experience.
Q: What do you do off the playing fields? Any hobbies?
A: (Laughs) I definitely don’t play an instrument like my brother (saxophone).
I like to do art, like painting and drawing. And, I’m also a part of a little group the BrAva Bunch (A local nonprofit named after Bridget Crock and Ava Nichols, two local girls that faced the challenges of childhood cancer). We make string bags for kids going through cancer treatment.
Q: Being a senior, is there anything else that you’d like to add?
A: I know my senior year has just started, but it definitely goes fast. (Smiles) I still feel like I should be a freshman. I don’t want the freshmen to take it for granted, because it really is a great time. I’ve enjoyed all my sports and everything — and I just hope they enjoy everything they’re going to get to do the next four years. It’s a great time, and I hope they enjoy every minute of it.
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Ron Johnston, rjohnston@mariettatimes.com