GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) - Lilyann Salacina is always moving.
Between volleyball, track and field, school, work and training, there isn't much empty space in her schedule. She averages more than 10,000 steps a day, and that doesn't include the miles she puts in during practice.
But if you ask Salacina what keeps her going, the answer isn't simply that she's disciplined.
She genuinely loves being an athlete.
A senior at CA Frost Environmental Science Middle High School, Salacina competes in volleyball as an outside hitter and in track and field as a long jumper and sprinter. She says she feels most like herself on the court, surrounded by competition, energy, and teammates working toward a common goal.
That passion has also taught her how to balance the many other responsibilities in her life.
Salacina takes several college courses through Grand Rapids Community College, including Psychology, Philosophy, and College Algebra. Because many of her classes are online, planning ahead and holding herself accountable are especially important.
"I keep up with homework and tests during a busy sports week by staying organized with planners and checklists of what needs to be done," she said.
Once school is finished, it's often time for volleyball. But Salacina's preparation for the sport doesn't only happen during the season. She trains through the summer to prepare for the fall season, while also balancing club volleyball and track and field throughout the year. During the winter, she can spend nearly four hours a day in the gym running, lifting and practicing volleyball. In the spring, track and field becomes her main sport, but volleyball remains part of her routine.
Much of that work happens behind the scenes. Salacina says spectators don't always see the time and repetition that goes into becoming a better team.
"We might spend days or weeks focusing on one skill or aspect of the game, and still have adjustments and changes to make afterwards," she said.
Communication is a big part of that process. Salacina said her coach, Rabija Adanalic, consistently emphasizes the importance of communicating on the court. For Salacina, communication, dedication, flexibility, and teamwork all play a role in helping the team improve.
That commitment to athletics has to fit alongside the rest of Salacina's life. On weekends, she works as a barista to support herself financially, balancing her job with the time and commitment sports require.
And then there's the part of Salacina that doesn't show up on a stat sheet.
Writing—especially poetry—is her passion. When she has free time, she can spend hours writing, revising, and editing her work before submitting it to literary websites and online magazines. In college, she plans to minor in creative writing.
It's one of the many things that makes Salacina’s story about more than being a student-athlete.
She's a competitor, but she's also a writer. She's a college student, a barista, and a teammate. She's someone who can spend hours training in a gym and then spend hours crafting a poem. She's also a dog owner who makes sure Athena gets her morning and afternoon attention.
After high school, Salacina plans to pursue a master's degree in social work and may continue competing in collegiate track and field.
For now, she's embracing the busy life she's created.
"It takes a lot of discipline, but it's as rewarding as it is challenging," she said.
For Salacina, being an athlete isn't the only thing that defines her. It's simply one of the places where her discipline, creativity, independence, competitiveness, and determination all come together.
