Carmel sophomore libero Beca Arreola has learned the importance of perseverance.
When Arreola struggled on her club volleyball team two years ago, she questioned her love for the sport.
“The coach did not believe in me,” she said. “I knew I was a good player and was doing the best I could, but I was constantly told I was not good enough. I finally left the club and took a break and didn’t play volleyball for two-plus months.
“I used that experience as motivation to work hard. I got a trainer. It still pushes me to this day to do my best for myself and my team.”
So when Arreola didn’t make Carmel’s varsity team at the beginning of last season, she stuck with it.
“Going into my freshman year, I was little bummed out that I didn’t make varsity because I knew I deserved to be there,” she said. “My mentality was to work harder and do whatever I can to make this freshman team and win, and from there I wanted to prove to the coaches that I’m a good player.”
Arreola helped Carmel’s freshman team go undefeated and impressed the coaching staff enough to earn a late-season call-up. She had 34 digs and three aces in limited action for the varsity team.
“She was a huge piece of our first undefeated team ever,” Carmel coach David Pazely said. “It got to the point where we couldn’t ignore her. She joined us and did very well and just made plays. In the playoffs, she helped us get a win over Antioch and played well against Prairie Ridge. She battled for every point and competed.”
Starting for the varsity team from the get-go this season, the 5-foot-4 Arreola has proved to be an integral player for the resurgent Corsairs (7-1), who haven’t had a winning season since 2021.
Arreola, whose older brother Luis is a former Carmel wrestler and baseball player, has 67 digs after recording 10 during Carmel’s two-game sweep of Marian Central Catholic on Thursday. She also has a 97% serving percentage with eight aces.
“This year she has continued to level up her play,” Pazely said. “She covers a ton of ground on the court, is fast and reads the game very well and is always in position to make plays. She often flies out of nowhere to make a spectacular play just when it looks like the ball is going to hit the ground.
“Beca learned a lot about what it takes to compete at a high level through the example of Luis.”
Arreola has impressed senior setter Suzy Trznadel, a returning starter and captain.
“Beca changes the dynamic of the team,” Trznadel said. “Her ability to read the hitter and adjust to the blockers is impeccable. She makes the crazy plays seem easy.
“Her calm and confidence on the court make her easy to trust. Beca’s hard work and dedication to the sport is shown on and off the court. She pushes the players to be the best versions of themselves and continually communicates with others to make sure we are all running the same defense.”
Carmel sophomore setter Charlotte Shepherd, a second-year starter, said she encouraged Arreola to join her club team, Wisconsin Juniors.
“Beca has one of the highest volleyball IQ’s I’ve seen in my volleyball career,” Shepherd said. “She constantly communicates, gives helpful feedback and is disciplined in whatever she does.
“Her attitude on the court is always go, go and go. She’s focused on the court with a competitive mindset and is always determined to get better each play in practice.”
Arreola has more to accomplish.
“I want to grow with my team,” she said. “I have to be loud and constantly talking and getting better with my serve-receive, just going for every ball and being ready for everything.
“I know I’m a leader and want to lead my team to success.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
