For many people, volleyball is a casual, fun game you might play at the beach with your friends or family members. For Lampeter-Strasburg High School (LSHS) senior Megan Platt, the sport is much, much more.

Platt recently finished her volleyball career at LSHS, where she played as a starter on the school's varsity team for three years. Platt also helped carry her team to first place in the section twice during her time playing at the high school level.

Although her time as a Pioneer is at an end, she doesn't plan to put the volleyball on the shelf any time soon; after Platt graduates from LSHS in the spring, she will attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington to play Division I volleyball. "(The University of North Carolina at Wilmington) reached out to me at a tournament one time, so I decided to check it out," Platt said. "I immediately fell in love with the campus and the team atmosphere. Once I saw it, I wanted to be there - it felt like home."

During Platt's last season as a high school volleyball player, she was named the Most Valuable Player in Section 2 at the Lancaster-Lebanon League volleyball banquet. Every season, the section's coaches hold a vote to recognize a player who works hard, brings good energy to the court and works together with other team members. At the start of the season, Platt set a personal goal to receive the title of MVP, but she said she was still surprised when she received the honor. "I told my dad at the beginning of the season that I wanted to be MVP," added Platt. "I made sure I was encouraging my teammates so my energy would fill the court, reaching other players and connecting us to play well together."

Platt started her volleyball journey in elementary school. Although she had played the sport a few times with her cousins during vacation trips, Platt wasn't hooked until she attended a volleyball camp as a young athlete. Platt progressed to the club level when she was 12 years old, and she started competing at Spooky Nook Sports in Manheim. "I fell in love with it - the competitiveness, diving all over the place and working as a team," Platt said.

Platt plays the position of libero, a back-row player who specializes in defensive maneuvers instead of serving or rotating to the front line. Platt has played other positions in the past, but she said the excitement of making a last-second save and diving to keep the ball in play makes her a libero at heart. The position also allows Platt to be quick on her feet and go toe-to-toe with players who have a height advantage. "You don't have to be as tall as everyone else to play volleyball, but I finally found the position that my size is perfect for," added Platt.

Platt doesn't only credit her athletic success to her love of the game and a specialized skillset. "My faith is a big part of my volleyball career," said Platt. "Everything I do is for Jesus; I play for Him on the court."