Student Athlete of the Week Sami Sessa

With the help of her teammates, Sami Sessa quickly developed confidence in her first season as a starting libero for the Niwot High School girls volleyball team.

"I definitely was nervous coming into the season because I was like, 'Now I'm a starter for the first time. I don't want to let the team down and let the program down since we've had such an amazing program the last couple of years,'" the senior said. "But I started to believe in myself. I really think that pushed me forward and I think I did better than I ever expected to."

Sessa did her job and did it well at the ever-important libero position. In addition to being Niwot's primary communicator, she also led the Cougars in receptions (19.5) and digs (13.6) per match. And, when serving, Sessa racked up a team-high 55 aces.

Her stellar senior season wouldn't have happened without the help of those around her, Sessa admitted.

"Everyone's lifting each other up and we all care about each other and we all want everyone to succeed," Sessa said. "When one person lifts one person up, we all know like, 'Hey, we need to lift everyone up.' Putting belief in all of us that we can do this really made us go farther than we thought."

The Cougars finished the season 17-10 and qualified for the Class 4A state tournament but were eliminated after two matches.

As things were looking bleak during Niwot's final match, Sessa said she took a moment to soak in the waning moments of her high school career.

"I was so sad," Sessa said. "There was one point in the game where I looked around, looked at the stands and looked at the court. I was sitting there like, 'Wow, it could be all over very soon.' It's a surreal moment and honestly, you don't even feel the emotions until it's really over."

Sessa said the highlight of her season came on Oct. 5 when Niwot swept Roosevelt High School. In what she called "one of the best games I've ever played," the talented libero had four aces and 20 digs on her home court.

While her high school career may be over, Sessa's volleyball days will continue this winter as she's playing for NORCO, a club program based out of Loveland. Her team even includes fellow Niwot seniors Julia Dadey and Lizzy Kaus.

"I'm looking forward to playing with two of my teammates again and having one last ride in volleyball," Sessa said.

In the spring, Sessa hopes that her club volleyball schedule will allow her to play another year of soccer at Niwot. She was a goalkeeper for the Cougars last season.