The word veteran might give the impression of age, but it is an epithet that Brianne Baum wears well.

While only 17, the Grade 11 student at Pentanguishene Secondary School has been playing volleyball since she first spiked a ball in Grade 5 at Parkview Elementary School.

Now a member of the Aurora Storm Under 17 Volleyball Club, she has elevated herself to the elite level in the sport, playing with teams who now battle for Ontario championships.

But when you strip it all away to its simplest form, she still has a love for the sport.

It’s a love untarnished by long drives to practice sessions and tournaments, along with time away from family and friends.

“I don’t know why I got interested in the game at first,” said Baum, during an interview at school.

While in elementary school, she enjoyed being involved in several sports, but volleyball registered highest on the interest scale.

“I just played it and wanted to get better at it. It was one of the sports I liked best,” she added.

A friend, Midland Secondary School student Melanie Carrigan, a talented volleyball player herself, was instrumental in getting Baum into the Ontario Volleyball Association programs.

Whether it’s diving to the floor to dig out a ball, or leaping eight feet in the air to spike or block a shot, Baum notes the physical demands are tough. But she still can’t wait to take to the court when the opportunity arises.

The introduction of the Libero player in volleyball has taken away the emphasis partly away from volleyball, allowing smaller players like Baum to find a place in the game.

“I used to play front court, but now they have Libero position in the back court, so I moved there. It’s good because you don’t have to be tall to play there,” she said.

At the recent provincial finals in Welland, the Storm finished much lower in the final placings than anticipated.

“It was a disappointment, because all year we were one of the top two teams in Tier 1 and at provincials, it was one of those days when nothing went our way,” said Baum.

Looking back she was pleased with the success the Storm enjoyed this season and has her eagerly awaiting the start of the 2008-2009 season.

Besides volleyball, she enjoys playing soccer at PSS and last season in Grade 10, she moved up to play with the senior girls’ squad.

This spring, she has set her sights on taking part in track and field.

Becoming a multi-sport athlete Baum enjoys the break from volleyball, indicating time away helps her rediscover her love for volleyball when the fall and winter season rolls around.

She hopes to continue on playing volleyball in university, with a possible career in sports medicine or physiotherapy.

At the end of April, PSS teacher and veteran volleyball coach Bill Hartman will officially retire after over 30 years in the education field.

Baum said she definitely miss Hartman and the valuable coaching advice he offered to her.

“Mr. Hartman is one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. He is so intense and he doesn’t like losing, which is so good for me because I am so competitive,” said Baum.