Tick tock, tick tock…
Anxious anticipation fills the stands as the clock counts down. Junior Santina Martcheva spikes the ball with great precision, earning Ocean Lakes its game-winning point.
Santina recently announced her commitment to continue her academic and athletic career at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univeristy (VT), an NCAA D1 university.
“Playing with Santina is like seeing years of hard work and training manifest into consistent and confident play,” senior Kayla Bennett said. “Santina puts 100% into everything she does, from volleyball to her friendships, academics, family and being authentically herself.”
Santina’s dream to play at the collegiate level began in fifth grade, and her eagerness to meet her goal only grew stronger from there.
“When I was 11, we had my club’s 18-year-old team act as our ‘big sisters.’ They would make us posters and watch our games, and we would bake them cookies,” Santina said. “Seeing the older girls, their level of play and how much fun they were having, I knew that I wanted to be like them when I was older.”
Santina became the “big sister” she always adored.
“Santina is someone that I have always looked up to, a person that many look up to,” freshman August Bridges said. “She is someone that makes me realize the kind of person that I want to be as I grow up; I want to become more like her.”
After joining her freshman year, Santina quickly became a starter for the Ocean Lakes varsity team, where she serves as an outside hitter.
“Even as a freshman and sophomore, Santina [played] a major role in the upkeep of our team mentality,” Kayla said. “No matter where we are in a game, she provides positivity and a sense of confidence. Whether she’s passing or hitting, the team and I trust her with the ball.”
VT wasn’t initially on her college list, but as soon as they reached out and she toured the campus, it quickly became her top choice.
“I am extremely proud of Santina for committing to VT. After her visit there to attend the camp over the summer, I could hear it in her voice that she had made up her mind,” girls volleyball coach Christina Barnhart said. “The team will be a good fit for her with a solid coach and great academics.”
Santina announcing her commitment to continue her athletics at the collegiate level came as no surprise to her coaches, teammates and math teacher Susan John.
“I’m not surprised. I’m very happy for her. I know it’s been a goal and I think it’s awesome she’s going there,” John said. “As someone who has lots of family who attended VT, I know for a fact that the Hokie pride is strong and they’re going to love her there.”
In addition to appreciating Santina’s unique skill set on the court, the Lady Dolphins heavily value her dedication to improving the lives of others.
“Santina’s presence impacts our team in indescribable ways. She is always there to make you smile and pick you up when you make a mistake, and her energy and encouragement [are] unlike any other,” August said. “She is our glue, she holds us together.”
Teammate and best friend Kaydyn Ismail agrees that her energy is incredible.
“Some people are like the sun in that they are genuinely pure and pour their light into others and make other people’s lives better. That is Santina,” Kaydyn said. “She has the most beautiful heart I’ve ever seen, and when you’re with her, you feel so loved and taken care of.”
According to Kaydyn, in addition to her compassionate and selfless nature, one of Santina’s greatest qualities is her resilience.
“Her ability to bounce back from setbacks and shortcomings and handle herself with poise exceeds anything that I’ve ever seen for someone our age, and it is the thing that I think has taken her and will continue to take her so far in life,” said Kaydyn. “Nothing can shake Santina Martcheva.”
