Aura Sharma, playing for U13 Tribe North, jumps high to powerfully spike the ball.
The gym held its breath, the only sound the squeak of her shoes as seventh grader Aura Sharma launched herself into the air. Then, with a roar that broke the silence, she released an incredible hit.
At just 12 years old, Sharma plays JV Upper School volleyball and makes her name on the court. Despite being one of the youngest players, she brings a powerful presence on the team and has her sights set on winning states. Sharma’s volleyball journey began five years ago during the pandemic, inspired by her older sister, Upper School junior Veda.
“She really pushes me to my limits,” Sharma said. “It’s fun to play with my sister sometimes.”
Her days are full of both school and sport, with little to no free time. After school, she goes on the Upper School bus and practices until 5:30 p.m. Practices are followed by a ten-minute run with altitude training masks to boost her cardio endurance.
“I used to not be that confident. As I started progressing, you really just have to work hard on it,” Sharma said. “And once you progress, you’re going to get more confidence.”
When faced with a mistake throughout the game, Sharma’s approach shows her mental strength.
“Always focus on the next play if you make a mistake,” Sharma said.
Sharma’s most powerful weapon isn’t her incredible hit, or her insane skills, but her mindset. Sharma believes that the most important part of playing is the mindset. A positive mindset equals a positive game. Her ability to let go of her mistakes and focus on her next play makes her stand out from the crowd. The ultimate goal is always the next play, each one bringing her closer to her final point, college volleyball for UT Austin.