ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Estelle Aubert

THE BASICS
Age: 15
Sport: Volleyball
Position: Outside hitter, opposing hitter and middle blocker
Grade: Sophomore
School: Lake Buena Vista

Lake Buena Vista High School sophomore outside hitter Estelle Aubert is emerging as a leader for the Lady Vipers volleyball team. In 60 sets played, Auburt has compiled 137 kills, 24 assists and 41 blocks. She recently was named her school’s Player of the Week.

How did it feel to be named Player of the Week at your school?
I’m very happy about it. I think it’s a great opportunity to also show off volleyball as a sport in the school. Considering that we are also brand new, not a lot of people pay attention to specific sports, so I’m really happy about that. I’m also really happy that I’m being recognized as a player, because I’m only a sophomore, so I think it’s a big deal that they are recognizing sophomores already.

What do you love most about volleyball as a sport?
The energy and the people. You can get really close with your teammates — especially because this is very much a mental sport.

What do you believe volleyball has taught you on and off the court?
To be a good friend and a good teammate. Even if people are making mistakes, you may be a little (angry) if someone misses a point. But bringing someone down is not going to help anybody, so you still have to bring everyone up and encourage everybody. I feel like that kind of pushes me to do it outside of volleyball, too. 

What is your favorite hobby?
I would say going to Universal with my friends or reading. 

What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?
I would take board games. I’d bring a boat and floaties. 

What is your favorite movie?
“Five Feet Apart.” I like it because it’s based on how somebody is putting themselves at risk for someone they love, so I think it has a nice message behind it.

If you could choose one person you admire to have dinner with, who would it be?
Taylor Swift. I would ask her how did she keep pushing through even though she was so young and so many people kept talking about her and everything she was going through.

Looking back, what would you say to your 10-year-old self?
I moved to the United States when I was 10 years old, and I didn’t know the language at that time. So I would probably tell my 10-year-old self that things are going to change, and it’s always going to be for the better. 

If you could write a letter to your future self, what would you say?
I would ask if I stayed in the United States or if I went back to Switzerland and what did I end up choosing to study to make my life. 

What is your biggest fear?
Spiders.

Who is you favorite superhero? Why?
Wonder Woman, because she didn’t let the fact that she was a woman deprive her.

Who is your favorite Disney character? Why?
Pluto, because he always had great energy, and he was always so funny and entertaining. 

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
To read people’s minds. I always wonder what people think about me in general, and I always want to know what they actually mean when they say something. 

What are three places you would like to visit? Why?
Italy, because I’ve always seen the rivers, and the food there is so nice. Norway, because I’ve always heard people are so happy there. … And probably somewhere in Asia — Japan — because it’s a brand new culture that I’m not used to. 

If you could go back in time to a specific period of history, which one would it be and why?
I would say World War II. I’ve always been really interested in how it really happened.

What color would you say represents your personality Why?
Green because one, it’s my favorite color, and two, I feel like I’m always very energetic around people, and I’m always bubbly. When I think about energetic and bubbly, I think of yellow and blue, so I’m somewhere in-between.

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why?
I would be a bird, so I can fly somewhere I’ve never seen.