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Name: Regan Zenner
School: Genesee High School
Grade: Senior
Sport: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball
Position: Libero, Shooting Guard, Shortstop/Second Base
How did you first get interested in your sport?
I started playing t-ball when I was 4. I then played every sport I could as the years went on. I played soccer in kindergarten until sixth grade. I started basketball in early elementary school where we played in Hoopfest and had a parks and rec team. Volleyball started in fifth grade with our local club team and I continued t-ball and progressed to parks and rec softball and then continued all three in high school.
If you play other sports, which is your favorite and why?
I have really enjoyed playing all sports, getting to play with a different group of girls for each team and season, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be volleyball. I love all aspects of the game and never get tired of it.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from high school sports?
One of the most valuable lessons that I have learned from high schools sports is taking your mistakes and turning them into positive feedback. It is really easy to doubt yourself and not want to mess up again, but to really compete, you have to be mentally tough and part of that means continuing to take criticism and mistakes as an opportunity to get better.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of advice I have received was this year from our assistant basketball coach Madisen Yockey when we were all talking to her about our senior year. She told us, “You guys aren’t going to remember every single game or play you made, but you’ll remember the experience you had as a team, as this team.” It really pushed us to work hard for each other because we all wanted our last season to be successful.
What has been your favorite high school memory so far?
One of my favorite memories of high school sports was our summer volleyball camp. We got to go up to Spokane, stay on the river and hang out all day, and then go play games at night. It always gets us excited for the season and we get to bond and have fun as a team. This year as my last volleyball camp experience was probably one of my favorites. After a night of games, we split up, half of us riding back with the coach and half of us with one of the parent chaperones. I was with our coach and like all teenage girls would, we convinced him to drive to Dutch Bros, but what we didn’t realize was that the back was still open and in the back was our bag of volleyballs. We ended up losing those and driving around Spokane to try to find them. Luckily, someone had found them outside in the parking lot and they were waiting for us at the school the next day. We were definitely laughing for a while after that!
What coaches or teachers have made the biggest impact on your athletic career?
This is a really hard question because they all have made such huge impacts on me and my athletic career. All of my coaches support us academically and on the court/field and they all genuinely care about us. My volleyball coach, Peter Crowley, has really helped me to gain confidence in my skills both on the court and off. Greg Hardie, my basketball coach, really pushed me to be more mentally tough and allowed me to learn from my mistakes but to move on with confidence. Last but not least, my softball coach, Brain Malcom really relied on me to be one of the leaders on the team and really pushed me into a more vocal role.
Which teammates have you really connected with during high school?
It has been really fun to connect with the younger classmen since we never have the same classes. A lot of girls that I don’t get to have class with can always make me laugh and we always have a good time. When I was a freshman, some of my best friends were upperclassmen and that was because we all played the same sports. We spend so much time together during a season it’s always fun to learn more about each other and have that bond on and off the court, even if we don’t spend a bunch of time together in school each day.
Is there anyone in your family who have helped you get to where you are today?
My family has definitely been my biggest support system. My parents and grandparents make it to every game that they can (which is most, if not all) and I have lots of aunts and uncles who support me as well. My dad has been a really big part in helping me and my two younger brothers develop our skills and really worked with us from the time we were little. He is always willing to take us to the gym or field if we wanted to get some extra reps in or coach our teams. My mom supports me no matter what and is always the loudest in the stands.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know that I made the most amazing catch in my softball career last year in the state softball tournament against Notus. I had a huge diving catch for a foul ball that I caught off to the side behind our dugout so our crowd couldn’t see it. When I got up, no one was excited or cheering except for my teammates on the field, my coaches and the two people who saw it happen from the crowd, even though it was one of the biggest plays that I had made.
What would you like to say to all the other Idaho athletes who had their season cut short?
This season was definitely not what we wanted or expected and I wish we would’ve been able to have our one last season. Even though we didn’t get to play, I hope you have loved each memory you have been able to make through sports in the last four years as much as I do. I would like to wish my teammates the best of luck in their sports seasons next year because I know they will continue to be successful!
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