Meet Ryleigh Lowe — the Port Dover setter chasing volleyball for life

Meet Ryleigh Lowe. She is 15, from Port Dover, and she plays setter for Norfolk Chaos Volleyball, Team Rumble. Ryleigh picked up the game in grade 6 and has not put it down since, working her way from school gym practices all the way to a national title. She already owns a gold medal from Nationals and a bronze from Provincials, and she is just getting started. Here is her story, in her own words.

Her Story

Ryleigh's volleyball story started in grade 6. She wanted to make her school team, so she got to work, drilling her skills at home and at school until she earned a spot. That hard work opened a door. She tried out for Norfolk Chaos and has worn a Norfolk jersey ever since.

Ask her about her proudest moments and she lights up. The first one is small and personal. Her serve. She set a goal to get it consistent, and she did. She still misses a few, but she trusts it now. The bigger moments came fast. At 14, she made a competitive U16 team. Then came the hardware, bronze at Provincials and gold at Nationals, both won shoulder to shoulder with her teammates.

Behind every setter is someone who taught them the game, and for Ryleigh that someone is her stepdad. He has spent countless hours helping her learn the craft, setting, hitting, passing, serving, the whole toolkit. Her mom and dad have been right there too, coaching her, running reps at home, and showing up with steady encouragement. It takes a village to build a volleyball player, and Ryleigh has a good one.

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What's Next

Ryleigh's plan for volleyball is simple, and it is big. Volleyball for life. She wants to keep climbing, with her sights set on playing for a college or university team. And when her playing days slow down, she wants to stay in the gym and give it back as a coach.

What about life off the court? She is not sure yet, and that is perfectly okay at 15. The one thing she knows is that she hopes it involves volleyball. For a kid who fell for this game in a grade 6 gym, that feels exactly right.

Who She's Thanking

Ryleigh keeps her circle close. She wants to thank her mom and step dad for all the coaching and support, and her dad and step mom for always being in her corner. She is grateful for her sister and her grandparents too, the ones in the stands cheering the loudest. When you ask Ryleigh who got her here, she does not point to a trophy. She names her people.

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