From spiking over the net to dribbling down the court, one student has earned herself spots on not one, but two competitive athletic teams this year. Although she’s only a freshman, Skylar Makalusky has brought both talent and potential to the girls junior varsity (JV) volleyball and varsity basketball teams.

During this past fall athletic season, Makalusky, who has played volleyball since seventh grade, played on the girls junior varsity volleyball team. Reflecting on the past season, head coach of the girls JV volleyball team and BHS alum Amanda Lacey said Makalusky was a level above most junior varsity players in the state, and that her skill stood out from the beginning.

“She had great fundamentals for her age, great ball control [and] really good athletic movements,” Lacey said. “She was so pivotal in every game. Her offense was great, her passing really improved over the season and her serving was great.”

Additionally, Lacey said Makalusky consistently came to practices and games with a positive attitude, something which did not go unnoticed.

“She brought really great energy,” Lacey said. “She was always happy to be there, always happy to work, always eager to take feedback and implement it right away.”

When the regular fall volleyball season ended, Makalusky was one of the few players called up to the varsity team to take part in their state playoffs journey. The Warriors finished off their season as state finalists.

“We made it to States, and that whole journey, going through the playoffs, was so exciting and so interesting to see. Even being on the bench and feeling the energy from the team is such an amazing experience,” Makalusky said.

Makalusky didn’t leave the court behind after her volleyball season. Instead, she simply shifted her focus to basketball, making the girls varsity basketball (GVB) team. There, her performances continued to stand out.

Jacob Page, the assistant coach of GVB, said that throughout the season, he has seen Makalusky grow in confidence.

“I think she was timid at the beginning, trying to figure out what to do, where to be, to understand the speed of the game playing varsity,” Page said. “I think now she’s been able to be much more aggressive, assert herself on the court, and really have her true impact on the game.”

Makalusky said that despite being the only freshman on a team primarily dominated by upperclassmen, the players and coaches have made her feel welcome.

“They’re very encouraging. As a freshman on a team with upperclassmen, it’s going to be intimidating, and you’re going to be playing timid sometimes, or play scared,” Makalusky said. “My coaches and my teammates and captains continue to encourage me to be aggressive in basketball, or ‘push the ball,’ just to remind me, ‘You do belong on this team’.”

Sophomore and Makalusky’s basketball teammate Izzy Wood said that playing alongside her has been a great experience.

“I like practicing with her because obviously she’s diligent, but then she also makes practice fun. It’s enjoyable to get better with her. It’s been so great getting to know her and getting closer with her. I think she really brought the team together more,” Wood said.

As for the future, Makalusky said she hopes to play a collegiate sport, which will likely be basketball. However, she said sports don’t come first for her.

“Honestly, for college or after high school, my main focus is definitely academics. So if it doesn’t turn out that I get to play sports at a high academic school, I think I’ll definitely play in a [recreational] league, or any other league like that. It’s about having fun, but it’s not the first priority,” Makalusky said.

Page said he has high expectations for Makalusky as she continues in high school, both as a person and as an athlete.

“I want her to continue to follow what she loves and continue to be a good individual in the school community [and] that person that others can count on,” Page said. “Staying true to herself, being a hard worker [and being] somebody that doesn’t back down from challenges – I think she’s fully capable of all those going through her high school career. We all look forward to seeing her grow.”