Standing at the net, Josh Livergood was talking.
Not usual trash speak, but encouragement. He noticed Vanguard, a school which is long been a boys’ volleyball powerhouse, receiving far better in a rebuilding calendar year. He was telling every single participant how significantly they’d improved.
It was not extensive in the past Livergood was seeking up at his competitiveness. He tried out for a nationwide team, recognizing he’d have to function to even develop into a fixture in the starting up rotation, and he did.
Every single problem, from remaining a twin wanting to come across a specialized niche to carrying the fat of Sort 1 Diabetes, Livergood has often had the similar “can-do” attitude. Right after top Discovery Canyon to a flawless title-winning period, he is also this year’s Peak Performer.
“Early on, I experienced a option that probably formed my job,” Livergood mentioned. “I could possibly perform on the national journey team or the community club workforce. I failed to even know if I might engage in on the vacation staff, and I knew it would be tricky, but I had to challenge myself to increase my video game.”
Livergood met teammate and fellow senior Caden Zippwald in Hawaii. As the son of a armed forces spouse and children, the previous was launched to a distinct tradition before his family members settled in Colorado.
The sport’s a lot more common in the islands — the Rainbow Warriors of the University of Hawaii have even taken home the very last two D-I countrywide championships.
His condition be damned, and even his relative lack of expertise, Livergood required to branch out from baseball, a sport his brother, Justin, is a standout in for Pine Creek.
“For the past two or three years I played baseball, I felt like it was turning out to be Justin’s activity,” Livergood claimed. “I was able to obtain a different avenue and be myself. In acquiring a new activity, I became who I am. I didn’t have to be a shadow to any person.”
An insulin pump attached to Livergood’s hip further more differentiates his scenario.
Remedies for his pancreas have been underway for much more than a 10 years. All through video games, course and even lounging all over, Livergood’s had to check his quantities.
And, in many methods, he is managed the complications just as independently as getting his athletic route.
“He’s just often on best of it. Josh is extremely mature,” coach Wayne Wetherby mentioned. “Throughout tactics or games, he may possibly appear up to me to sit for a moment and get his blood sugar up.
“Following our match in opposition to Colorado Springs College, he came up to me the next day and even apologized. He claimed, ‘Sorry mentor, my numbers ended up reduced, but I needed to aid the workforce and perform.’ That style of maturity and his knowledge with diabetic issues is exceptional.”
Through the volleyball playoffs, as substantially as achievable, Livergood was top. He downed 13 kills in a title sweep in excess of No. 1 Cherry Creek and additional a different three support aces.
From making a conclusion to operate with the more mature groups to leading his personal, Livergood used all the things he acquired together the way.
“There have been a handful of instances the place I definitely obtained down on myself early on,” Livergood reported. “I just kept participating in, even though, even when it acquired difficult. I employed that with the Thunder.
“No rough patch is as well a lot. I required my teammates to generally try to remember that. And it is just a video game — put anything you have into it, but often remain grounded.”
Challenges arrive in just about each athlete’s everyday living. Livergood was handed unique types but still made use of them as gas.
He leaves behind a volleyball method that’s time won’t be topped quickly for new issues, like competing on the grass or sand as an alternative of a court docket.
Livergood will never quit enjoying or major. He’s found his voice and ideas to hold employing it.
Very first Group All-Location performers:
Patrick Nettles, Cheyenne Mountain
Ryan Hansen, Discovery Canyon
Josh Livergood, Discovery Canyon
Caden Zippwald, Discovery Canyon
Tavian Tuli, Fountain-Fort Carson
Brody McKinney, James Irwin
Next Workforce All-Spot:
Kelel Nilsen, Cheyenne Mountain
Ethan Ocampo, Coronado
Aivan McCrary, Discovery Canyon
Bryce Owen, Fountain-Fort Carson
Evan Brownsberger, James Irwin
Caleb Hansen, Vanguard