Creativity is in Sydney Hiner’s blood.
Exhibit A: Tuesday’s “Hawaiian-Out” night, which is one of unique many ideas the Land O’Lakes senior has helped develop to ring up school spirit.
“Having the support of our school- it makes us more confident,” Hiner said. “Like, ‘oh, our school has our back whether we win or we lose’. It just brings up the energy a lot.”
Winning has been a constant part of Hiner’s life over the past two years.
The Gators captured their first conference title since 1994 last season and are off to a blazing start to 2017.
What makes Hiner stand out?
Her energy for sure.
“There’s always this passion when I step on the court,” Hiner said. “It just comes out in me.”
“When you get her going on the positive side, she can carry everybody and keep us upbeat and help our team really perform,” Land O’ Lakes head coach Ike Klauka said. “Sometimes you’ve just got to pull the reigns in and say, ‘slow down, tiger’. But that’s how a thoroughbred is.”
Hiner, who leads her team in kills and aces, has been a constant force for the Gators, who just wrapped up a tough stretch of four matches in four days this week due to hurricane postponements.
As one of just three seniors on the roster, Sydney has helped a young team navigate the waters with success.
“We motivate them as much as we can,” Hiner said. “We tell them to stay focused and practice as hard as they can. Because what you do in practice is how you’ll play on the court.”
Hiner plans to continue her career in college and become a physical therapist who works with special needs children.
She currently volunteers to help with special needs kids, assisting her mother, who works in the industry.
“They’re just always so energetic and positive,” Hiner said. “It just makes my day. And being able to go in and help them and make their day by giving them a high five or a hug, it just brings joy to my heart. And it makes me so happy.”
Whether she’s wearing a lei or not, that happiness seems to follow Hiner everywhere.