Katie von Behren
Staff Writer
Growing up as a multi-sport athlete, senior Skylar Caputo was exposed to all types of sports at a young age. She has been surrounded by the world of volleyball her whole life and began to follow in her parents footsteps as she fell in love with the sport.
For the past ten years, Caputo has pursued her talent for volleyball. She joined her first indoor club team when she was just nine years old. This past summer, Caputo was given the opportunity to play for the U19 USA beach volleyball team and travel to China to represent the United States with her partner, Zana Muno, from Notre Dame High School.
“For months leading up to the tournaments in China, I was given the incredible opportunity to train and improve among an incredible group of girls with a high level coaching staff,” Caputo said. “Throughout many practices and tryouts, I was presented with the chance to represent my country’s colors on my back while playing the sport I love.”
In China, Caputo and Muno competed in the Youth Olympic Games over the course of two weeks. They finished fifth after playing against the highest level of volleyball players in their age group from countries all around the world. The Youth Olympic Games are designed identically to the actual Olympic Games, but simply provide the opportunity for the most talented athletes to be able to play against other serious competitors that range from 15-18 years old.
“This trip was the chance of lifetime,” Caputo said. “Having the opportunity to live among the most incredible athletes in the Olympic Village, being a part of the opening ceremonies, meeting athletes from other countries, and playing in a red, white, and blue uniform was an experience I’ll never forget.”
Caputo has previously travelled out of the county to play in Croatia and Italy for The Global Challenge indoor volleyball event. She was also given the experience to play abroad in Porto, Portugal last summer in the Federation Internationale De Volleyball (FIVB) U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships with partner, Delaney Knudsen.
“Skylar is an amazing partner to play competitively with,” partner Zara Muno said. “The moment we started training together for China, we clicked automatically. She is always very positive throughout each game and has a calmness about her play that allows me as a partner to easily connect with during the matches. She is so dedicated to the sport and always gives 100% effort whether it’s just practice or the elite level we faced in China.”
This season of Costa volleyball will be Caputo’s last year playing as an outside hitter for an indoor volleyball program. She plans to put her focus on beach volleyball to prepare to play next year at Pepperdine University. Her future plans are to tryout for the U21 USA beach volleyball team. She dreams of competing in the AVP and winning a gold medal at the Olympics.
“I am so thankful that I was able to travel and play for my country this year with such an amazing partner to share the experience with,” Caputo said. “There is no better feeling than playing under the white lights of Nanjing’s beach volleyball stadium, competing against elite teams and wearing USA’s colors for the sport I love.”
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