D9and10Sports.com is highlighting returning high school student-athletes this summer. The year in school listed next to the athlete’s name is the year the athlete is entering this fall.
Full List of 2021 Player Profiles
Bailey Varndell – Maplewood – Junior
Parents Names: Holly Varndell and John Hildebran
Sports Played: Volleyball and basketball
Siblings: Sophie Varndell, 20
Social Media Handles: Snapchat: BaileyVarndell2, Instagram: Bailey.Varndell, TikTOk: Booly_Tiksthetok
2020-21 Highlights: Stats for 2020 Volleyball: Set assists: 692, Defensive digs: 113, Serve aces: 44, All-Region first team, All-District 10 2nd team. Team: Region champs, District 10 Champions, Elite 8- PIAA State playoffs. 2020-21 Basketball: 38 3-pointers, 164 points, average points per game, 8.6. All-Region Second team.
College Athletics plan if applicable: I would like to play volleyball in college, but I have not committed to any school.
Q&A With Bailey Varndell
D9and10Sports: How did you first get involved in sports and did you like it?
A: I started attending elementary school volleyball and basketball clinics and some camps when I was in third grade. I started JO travel volleyball (Flash VBC) when I was nine and in the fourth grade. Once I started that, I never wanted to stop playing. At first, I loved basketball more, but once I played travel ball, that changed.
D9and10Sports: Who has been your biggest influence in life and why?
A: My mom has been my biggest influence in life because she has always been there for me. Whether she was helping me with homework or taking me to all my practices and games or just simply being my mom. She has never missed any of my games and is always there supporting me. Her work ethic has influenced me greatly and is why I excel at sports, school, and working. I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it wasn’t for her.
D9and10Sports: What is your favorite high school sports memory?
A: My favorite high school memory is winning the District 10 Championship for volleyball on our home high school court.
D9and10Sports: What is your favorite social media platform and why?
A: My favorite social media platform is probably TikTok. I spend a lot of my free time (which is not very often) on it and it always puts me in a good mood. Most other social media these days are very negative.
D9and10Sports: What would someone who is meeting you for the first time be surprised to find out about you?
A: They would be surprised to find out I love to fish, kayak, and camp.
D9and10Sports: If there was one period in history you could go back to, what would it be and why?
A: I would love to go back to the 1980s because of the music, big hair, and simpler times.
D9and10Sports: What will you tell your kids someday about living through the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: I will tell them that masks are not needed, and don’t take things for granted. My parents, grandparents, and classmates could not attend sports in person most of the time and school had to be online a lot of the time. Learn to cherish your moments.
D9and10Sports: What is your ideal place to live? Country, City, Suburb and why?
A: My ideal place to live is in the country. I would live in the country as that is where I grew up, living on a dirt road with my family. Living somewhere different, like the city would change who I am and I don’t think I would like that person.
D9and10Sports: Is there anything you wish we would have asked you? If so, what is the answer?
A: Yes. What is my biggest fear? SHARKS!! And what are my three top movies? the Notebook, Grease, and Forrest Gump.
