North Hall senior volleyball player Evann Rowland knew the first time she picked up a volleyball that she was meant to play the sport.

She was five years old and the manager for her older sister’s volleyball team.

"Every time I’m on the court I feel like I’m supposed to be there, like I’m home," Rowland said.

Her seeming devotion to the sport manifested itself into one of Rowland’s most balanced perfomances in her two years as a starter for the Lady Trojans.

In six matches played last week, Rowland had 41 kills, 13 aces, five blocks and four digs to lead her team to two sweeps (Gilmer and Lambert, and West Hall and Buford) and one split (beat Johnson and lost to West Forsyth).

For her efforts, Rowland is The Times Athlete of the Week.

"(Rowland) brings a lot of energy to our team," North Hall volleyball coach Emi Hughes said. "She provides the big hits and is our ‘ooh and ahh’ factor.

"She sets the tone for us to play intense volleyball."

Rowland’s said intensity can be directly attributed to her feeling at home on the court. Playing volleyball brings her solace and is the means by which she de-stresses.

"There aren’t a lot of sports that let you beat on a ball like volleyball does," Rowland said. "I love the competitiveness and hitting. I love being able to control what I’m doing and what the ball does."

According to Hughes, Rowland’s competitiveness helps her teammates raise their level of play and it isn’t more evidenced than with teammate, and junior setter, Kathryn Bell.

"They are so different as far as the way they play," Hughes said. "Kathryn is our quiet force and Evann is more boisterous and puts herself out there.

"It’s great though because they work well together and when both are clicking, we’re a force. They keep things competitive and want to bring out the best in each other, which in turn brings out the best in those around them."

Rowland backed up her coach’s sentiments by saying that every practice and every match she sees as an opportunity to get better at the sport she loves.

"I don’t want to just play," she said. "I want to win.

"Every match the goal is to be the first to 25 (points) and to do our best while getting there."

With that mentality carrying her, Rowland hopes to be an integral part of carrying her team further than it’s been: that place being the state quarterfinals.

"Senior year is the most important because it’s the one you’re going to remember the most," Rowland said. "I have to be a leader and the most intense player and get everyone doing their best by doing my best.

"I want to get past the sweet 16, I want that to be what I leave here having done."