Jeff Moeller, sports correspondent

Over the past few years, Richmond Hill’s Rae Sander has been taking serving to another level. A junior this fall, Sander has been serving at Compassion Christ Church since she was 12 in sixth grade.

Sander was recently serving at a kids’ summer camp, but she shifted gears to attend the Wildcats’ summer volleyball workouts. This time around, Sander was serving for her team on the volleyball court, where she is a six-rotation outside hitter playing either in the far left or in the middle of the back row.

“I’m so excited to be back in the gym and what this season is going to look like,” said Sander. “Summer is essential to rest, but also in the mindset of when to get back into rhythm and work.

“But I am still doing large group worship for middle and high school students, after working with kids from kindergarten to fifth grade. My whole family is heavily involved with my mom doing adult worship during services, and my dad helping to connect people with their service teams in a class called Group Track.”

Taking the advice of her parents Randon and Ashley, Sander decided to play volleyball at age 11. Now, a few years later, she has developed it into a passion.

“I started playing recreational volleyball because my parents really wanted me to be productive and get involved somehow,” recalled Sander. “ I had tried many sports in the past, but none really stuck and my mom had suggested volleyball because she admired the sport growing up! My parents may have suggested it but I stayed because I had found something I actually loved.”

Soon after, Sander began playing club volleyball at Club Savannah. That experience proved to be a pivotal point in her young career.

“I became comfortable in the sport when I played on my first club team at the age of 12, and I was placed on the top national team at my club,” recalled Sander. “It was my first experience with real volleyball with people who played with intensity and I could really experience the thrill and the excitement of live ball play, and so I’ve been at the top national team ever since.”

Sander also has played club volleyball for Powers Volleyball Club until her current club home at Savannah Elite Volleyball. She also played all three years for the Richmond Hill middle school program.

Her middle school years signaled a solid future ahead.

“During my freshman year, I made JV, but I got pulled to play varsity as the only freshman,” said Sander. “I made the varsity team as the only sophomore.”

During those early moments, Sander relied on some divine intervention.

“I’ve had many moments throughout my journey, but one in particular was the region championship my freshman year,” stated Sander. Our main outside hitter got injured a couple weeks prior, so I was put as a DS (defensive specialist) for a right side playing her spot.

“As I was the only freshman I felt intimidated at first but then I saw it as an opportunity to step up and prove myself. I give thanks to God in that moment because He put me there for a reason and I trusted Him and believed in my own abilities that He gifted me with.”

Consequently, Sander received a boost of inner strength.

“As a result of that I was able to aid Richmond Hill to a second consecutive region title, also winning regions the year after that,” added Sander. “ It was a big moment for me because playing varsity as a freshman was a huge goal of mine, so to be given an opportunity like that made me confident in myself and know that I worked for that moment and that I was reaping the benefits of it.”

In addition to being thrust into the spotlight as a freshman, the five-foot-five Sander also has overcome another obstacle.

“A major hurdle was definitely my height,” said Sander. “I was unfortunately not given the tall genes so if I wanted to continue hitting, I knew I had to change my focus to training to increase my vertical.

“With a lot of training and time at 5 '5, I’m currently touching 9'6 as an approach jump. And it is definitely something I continue to work on, but it’s something that allows me to be competitive in the position I play in.”

Along with volleyball, Sander also was a member of the Wildcats’ track team in which she participated in the 200m, the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relays and the pole vault.

Club coach Marco Macias has been a guiding force through her volleyball journey.

“He has helped me through really hard times and pushes me to be better and better every day,” said Sander. “ As he played professionally, I have looked up to him so much not just for his skill but his work ethic. He is truly the hardest worker I’ve ever met and I respect him so much. He also helped me improve my track events.”

Head coach Danielle Ennis has high expectations for Sander.

“She was a key part of our season last year in spots when we needed her,” said Ennis. “She is a strong leader and will be a vital part of this upcoming season.”

Sander feels she is ready to take her game to the next level.

“This year at club, I have the blessing to play with a lot of talented girls and as a result of that we play in higher divisions at tournaments,” said Sander. “Appearing in these divisions, we play against really talented girls who are incredibly tall. As an outside hitter I have learned better techniques to get around those big blocks, which given my height is very important. I also get to play in the back row which I have learned how to better read the opposing offense and to support my team from behind in any way they need.

“Moving forward I know that as a shorter outside, I need to pour into my defense to make sure I’m more marketable to play in college.”