Double the Hyde, Double the Pride: Audrey Hyde to join Elise Hyde at Westmont College

By: Donya Hassanshahi

Practice after practice. Game after game. Her many encounters with the court have all led to this moment: committing to Westmont as a junior.

Since the age of seven, Audrey Hyde, ’24 has been involved with volleyball and the lifestyle of a volleyball player. “I started with city league and then three club teams,” she says.

As of now, she says she is a member of the Valley Volleyball Academy [VVA].

Since her freshman year was disrupted by the pandemic, Hyde is a two-year varsity member of Redwood High School Volleyball.

Throughout her Redwood career so far, Hyde says a core memory is her college acceptance. “…Getting to do the thing I love in college is everything,” she says.

During the middle of this year, Hyde says she found out she had received a scholarship to Westmont “right at the visit, after I practiced with the team.”

At Westmont, Hyde says she will play the position of Opposite.

Initially, she says she did not know much about the college. “I found out about them because my sister goes there, and then I was just like ‘Okay, I’m interested in going to this school Westmont.’ Then, I reached out and emailed them some videos and then they invited me for a visit and offered me a spot,” Hyde says.

Given her volleyball journey, Hyde has had numerous memorable moments alongside coaches and teammates.

She says her most memorable coaches are brothers Dan and Eric Samaron from a club team she had previously been a player for. “They made the team environment fun, but so hard working,” Hyde says.

Another club memory Hyde says was memorable was when she “…went to Florida for a tournament and that was just amazing for team bonding and getting to see somewhere new and traveling just for volleyball and playing in a big place was awesome.”

Hyde says a key aspect of volleyball, and sports in general, is communication, “Always try your best. If you’re enjoying the sport, try your best, work as hard as you can, and just communicate with your team and your coaches and ask for help when you need help.”

For college, Hyde says, “I’d say the most exciting thing…is being yourself out in a new world. You don’t have your family right there, and you have to really decide who you are, and I feel like you lean yourself when you are living on your own.”

Though she won’t have her entire family by her side, Hyde will have her sister, Redwood Alumnus Elise Hyde. By the time Audrey is a freshman at Westmont, Elise will be a junior.

Hyde says, “I think my mom told [Elise], and then she called me, and she was like, ‘Oh my gosh! We are going to school together,’ so she was super excited.”

Since Elise is a soccer player and Audrey is a volleyball player, both sport seasons occur during Fall.

Considering she and her sister will be attending the same school, Hyde says her parents “…were happy. They were like, ‘Yes! We get to travel to one college.'”

Not only were her parents happy for her accomplishment, though Hyde says, “They’re just encouraging. My mom played professional volleyball, so she definitely motivates me to do better. She gives me tips on how to fix stuff, but then she’s also very uplifting.”

Hyde advises her teammates, newcomers, and athletes in a positive light:

“It’s okay to make mistakes. We’re all part of a team, and mistakes are how we grow. You shouldn’t feel pressure.”

Audrey Hyde, ’24

Elise also received a scholarship to Westmont College for soccer. Her role is an outside back on defense.

With Audrey’s future arrival, Elise says, “I am thrilled. I thank God that I have the privilege to play a college sport, but even more playing a college sport alongside my sister.”

During the 2021-2022 school year, Elise and Audrey played alongside one another on the volleyball court.

Although Elise is attending on a soccer scholarship, she says, “I am excited for the school and athletic memories that will bond us closer together.”

When Audrey settles at Westmont, Elise says she looks forward to “…giving advice on how to navigate school and playing a college sport, showing her my favorite hikes and restaurants, and playing in beach volleyball tournaments on the weekends.”

As for her sister’s work ethic, she says, “Audrey is hard working and humble. I can’t wait to experience what God has in store for her.”

Soon to step back on the newly polished floors of the Redwood High School Gym, Audrey says she looks forward to making fond memories during her senior season.

Tags: Donya Hassanshahi, humans of redwood, rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, redwood sports, rhs, rhs volleyball, visalia ca