Ruthlyn Hobson sees firsthand the lifelong benefits students acquire playing volleyball.
Hobson has been active, since her youth, in the U.S. Virgin Islands volleyball scene. She began in the early 1970s as a player at Eudora Kean High School on St. Thomas. She has been coaching since 1974. She started a St. John team in 1975 and she’s an officer of local volleyball organizations.
Hobson said one major benefit for youngsters in playing is the opportunity to earn scholarships to play the game in college.
Hobson knows of a lot of local youth who have earned scholarships, some full rides too. Hobson said off the top of her head she knows eight girls who had scholarships. Two graduates of St. Croix Central High School are currently attending Davenport University on volleyball scholarships. Khari Jones, on full scholarship, and Kowaun Donadelle are studying at Davenport in Michigan. Jared Lake, a recent Good Hope graduate, also went to Davenport on a scholarship.
Hobson said there are always scouts and recruiters at tournaments they attend checking out the local players.
In May the U.S. Virgin Islands will host the under-23 Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association Championship. The territory will host other tournaments through the summer.
Jordan Lake, a senior at Good Hope Country Day School and captain of the USVI Junior National boys team, said making friends is also beneficial. Hobson added she sees a public and private bond among the students.
Lake said the boys teams are a good close group and the friendships and team work between public and private school is special. With pride in his voice he added coaches have said the skills among his teammates are supposedly the best they’ve seen in a while.
He said he grew up watching his brother Jared Lake play. Good Hope coach Daryl Rodgers encouraged him to get involved in the sixth grade and he’s been playing ever since.
“It’s been a great eye-opening experience, playing volleyball,” Lake said. “I have to work hard and keep at it. It’s fun getting to a higher level in competition.”
Hobson had requests for more children to have the chance to play volleyball so in 1990 she started the St.Croix Volleyball Club.
Youngsters from six to 18 years join one of 12 teams. The children practice from March to June. Out of those 12 teams, six are chosen to participate in tournaments.
“I’ve recently seen a lot of interest and growth in the six-year-old age group,” Hobson said.
Khrystin Rosa, a senior at St. Croix Educational Complex, is the captain of the girls team.
More information about the St. Croix Volleyball Club is available by calling 340-277-0042.
