Eastside freshman Alice Bridges is a rising volleyball star. She’s been a standout for the Lady Eagles, who have jumped out to a historic 14-1 record to begin the year.
Bridges has earned all-tournament honors at both of Eastside’s early-season tournaments.
It’s been a bit of a blur for the freshman.
“I was nervous at tryouts about if I was even going to make the team,” Bridges said. “Let alone to play this much and receive these honors. It’s been a great opportunity. I’m just thankful to be a part of it.”
Alice Bridges has earned two all-tournament honors in her freshman season already and is a massive reason why the Lady Eagles are off to a record 14-1 start.
“Coming into this season, we didn’t know a ton about Alice,” said Eastside girls volleyball coach Kady Cellamare. “But when she came into the gym the first time for practice, and we saw her skill and height, it was one of those things where we were like, ‘Okay, this girl’s different.’”
The first-year varsity player has made many new fans in a short time.
But her biggest fan? That would be her older brother, Will — a star junior on Eastside’s 11-time defending state-champion boys swimming team. And along with being Alice’s biggest fan, Will also happens to be her toughest, but most constructive, critic.
“A lot of people tell me how good I am at volleyball, and of course, I really am grateful for that,” said Alice. “But Will, he’s the one that’s kind of always pushing me, telling me how I can get better. And I truly love that about him. Because when he tells me that, I use it as fuel and I do get better.”
“I think we both give each other a hard time, try to keep each other humble,” said Will, laughing. “But it’s all from a place of love, and wanting to see the other person keep improving.”
Will does know a thing or two about excelling in his sport, of course.
He’s an individual and team state champion for the Aqua Eagles, the state’s most dominant swimming program. Just two weeks ago, the junior set the Eastside swimming school record for the fastest-ever time in the 100 free, clocking in at 46.29. At that same meet, he was a part of the Eastside team that broke the school record for the fastest time in the 400 free relay — an impeccable 3:09.09.
“Will is an incredible swimmer and teammate, and a whole lot of fun to be around,” said Eastside swimming coach Tiffany Watson. “He’s high energy, positive, and always pushing the guys around him to get better in the pool.”
Alice, just a few years ago, was a swimmer just like Will.
The pair grew up participating in summer league swimming events together. But after a while, Will’s older brother sense kicked in, and he realized Alice’s passion and gifts may not be identical to his.
“We grew up swimming together, but after a while, I kind of could tell swimming wasn’t her favorite thing to do,” said Will. “But after I saw how much she enjoyed volleyball after picking it up and playing in middle school [at Mitchell Road Christian Academy], I knew that was going to be her thing. And I wouldn’t ever want to take her away from what she’s getting to do now.”
Alice quickly turned her full focus to volleyball after discovering her talent in the sport.
“I do enjoy swimming, but the sports happen during the same season for school,” said Alice. “Honestly, if they were different seasons, I may still try to do both. But I just feel like I’m more gifted in volleyball. And I do love it a lot more. So it was an easy choice in the end.”
Will and Alice have always held a close relationship as siblings.
The same-season predicament presents an interesting challenge for Will and Alice’s parents, who often have to balance their time between meets and matches, strokes and spikes, swimming and volleyball.
And Will, even with a busy swimming schedule that’s now full of college recruitment visits, still finds time to help his younger sister practice at the net.
“I try to get out there occasionally and pass the volleyball with her, but she’s way surpassed me in skill,” said Will, smiling. “So it can be a little hard to play with her because of how good she’s become.”
Both Will and Alice are off to tremendous starts for their teams this season. Both hope to be competing for state titles in just a few months.
And if that’s how it unfolds, they’ll be right there in each other’s corner when the time comes.
“I couldn’t ask for a better older brother than Will,” said Alice. “He’s always been there to support me and build me up.”
“I’m just super proud of her,” said Will. “I’ve always heard just how gifted she was at volleyball. But when I went to one of her games this year, seeing just how good she’s doing at the high-school level already, I was blown away. I just had a smile on my face the whole game, seeing her having fun and doing what she loves.”
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