Bartlesville High School junior Molly Sutherland embraces a demanding role for the Lady Bruins varsity volleyball team. As the team’s libero, Sutherland takes pride in competing for every point while helping organize the defense behind the net.
“My position is libero which is the leader of the backrow. What I love most about being on the team is playing volleyball and the forever friendships I have made. As the libero my strength is reading the court and going after every ball. I am working to improve my communication, for example calling shots for my hitters, calling the ball, and stepping out of my comfort zone to confidently lead my team defensively.”
Sutherland values the relationships that have developed within the Bartlesville program. She said the Lady Bruins’ positive culture makes the daily work, competition and pursuit of improvement even more meaningful.
“I love how supportive and genuine my teammates are. They only want the best for each other and me. At Bartlesville, we have a team that has little to no drama whatsoever and everyone loves each other.”
That environment has also provided Sutherland with role models who have influenced her both on and off the court. She points to coach Jill Christianson as a consistent source of support and encouragement, while a former teammate has shown her the lasting value of the friendships volleyball can create.
“My biggest inspiration is one of my coaches Jill Christianson. She is someone I can always talk to and when I am having trouble on the court, I can always look to her for encouragement. A teammate that has left the biggest impression on me would be my former teammate, Emmarie. We formed a close friendship through volleyball, and even though she doesn’t play anymore to focus on work, we still talk.”
For Sutherland, the season is an opportunity to contribute to victories while continuing to develop the skills needed to become a stronger defensive leader.
“I am most excited to win games and get better at my sport.”
Her approach to growth is shaped by a lesson she carried away from last season: mistakes do not have to define an athlete. Instead, she views them as opportunities to learn, adjust and return better prepared for the next play.
“Last year I learned that failure is feedback rather than defeat. This has helped me in the since that when I make a mistake, it only tells me how I can improve and fix it.”
Away from volleyball, Sutherland is returning to soccer this year while participating in the Nursing Assistant program at Tri-County Tech. She hopes to pursue a future in medicine and eventually work in an emergency room.
