Athlete of the Week: Jenn Hawley and Brooke Detwiler

After coming off of a very strong 2013 season, the Big Red girls' volleyball team is cruising through its competition as the team sits with the winning record of 6-1. Behind this success are the two senior captains, Jennifer Hawley and Brooke Detwiler.

Both of them arrived to Exeter as new uppers, Detwiler from Tuscon, Arizona and Hawley from Goffstown, New Hampshire. Hawley and Detwiler have been playing volleyball since they were very young.

For Detwiler, volleyball has always been a part of her life.

“My parents actually met playing volleyball, so I kind of grew up with the sport. I started playing competitively when I was 12 and I just fell in love,” Detwiler said.

Volleyball was a hobby for Hawley, who began playing in seventh grade. However, she soon discovered her talents and it grew into one of her passions.

“I first started playing in seventh grade. It was more of a social activity for me then but once I started playing in the offseason and entered high school, it became of my passions,” Hawley said.

Despite Exeter’s hard academics and busy schedule, both have adjusted extremely well to the program.

“Out of all my teams, Exeter is by far my favorite. There’s always such a great energy at practice from both the girls and Coach Shang. We have so much fun together, but at the same time everyone shows up and works hard every day.”

For Hawley, Big Red Volleyball has become a second family. “The Exeter Volleyball team is so important to me. Coming in as a new upper last year, Prep camp in the last week of summer. It was the first time I met my teammates and even my best friend,” she said.

Hawley added that volleyball definitely helped her transition into the busy Exeter life. “It made my transition so much smoother to have such an amazing group of friends to practice with everyday,” she said.

As she watches the new players this year adjust to the team, Hawley recollects good memories. “I love watching the new girls this year enjoy the same benefits of being on this team as I did last year.”

Hawley and Detwiler in their first two years have built new friendships and gained many wonderful memories. For Hawley, celebrating the long rallies and huddling up with her teammates is one of her favorite parts about volleyball. “Some of my favorite moments of my career are when there is a rally in the middle of a game that is so intense and long that the score fades out of focus and it is just us as a team fighting with all our hearts. Another favorite moment is the 0.5 second after someone gets a ridiculous kill or an ace or a block and the entire team jumps into the center of the court and cheers. The looks on everyone’s faces are priceless and it is so special to see everyone getting so excited for each other.”

Detwiler’s favorite moment also comes from the team’s success. She said, “My favorite moment was beating Andover twice last year and making it to the playoffs for the first time in several years for Exeter. It was awesome. I was so proud to be part of the team.”

While both Detwiler and Hawley love the team and enjoy the group’s success more than their individual accomplishments, their lists of achievements are very long.

Detwiler has not only been a two year varsity starter at Exeter, but also 2013-2014 Season MVP, Boston Globe All-Star, and a captain of seven different teams throughout her career.

Hawley was also the captain and the MVP of her middle school, club, and now high school team. She said making the championship at her former high school was one of her proudest achievements. “My sophomore year, my team at my old school set a goal to get to the championship match and we fought to get there all season. In the end, we lost the championship match, but it was one of the most exciting volleyball seasons yet and I use it as motivation to help the teams I’m on to keep pushing.

Although Hawley and Detwiler seem to have very illustrated careers, their success came with struggles. Detwiler has had to battle numerous injuries. Detwiler has pulled her hip-flexor, three abdominal muscles, and struggled fighting off knee issues.

For Hawley, the loss in the championship took a mental toll on her. “Losing the championship was one of the hardships of my career. As a sophomore, I don’t think I was mentally prepared for the final championship match but as I have matured, I believe I am ready for such challenge.”

Both players were able to rise from their struggles and they bring their experience to the Big Red Squad.

Upper Peace Kabari said, “Jen is very positive on court. You will hear her cheering everyone on and she lifts the spirit of the team. She goes hard whether we are winning or losing. Off the court, Jenn works well with the chemistry of the team. She is the type of person you can rely on for anything. Her biggest strength is her heart.”

Then, she commented on Detwiler’s leadership. “Brooke our setter, is the voice of our team. Mainly because she sets the tone of the game, pun intended. She has a huge impact on whether the hitters have a great game or not. She does an awesome job of being reliable when we need her, which is always. She is very caring, especially when you are having a bad day, she will be right there to ask how you are doing. Her biggest strength is her leadership.”

Upper Josie Russ could not disagree with any of Peace’s comments. “They are great leaders of the team and their senses of humor light up the team. Basically there are no negative things about them they are both wonderful in every way!”

Both Captains are eyeing for a championship to finish to their high school careers and with an incredible team behind them, will be difficult to stop.