East County Athlete of the Week: Anna Shelby Dees

Anna Shelby Dees is a senior volleyball player at Lakewood Ranch High. Dees had 19 kills and three aces Aug. 15 in the Mustangs' three-set preseason home win against Hillsborough Riverview High.

When did you start playing volleyball?

I started in sixth grade, then played with Coastline Volleyball. Now I play for OTVA/Wave Volleyball outside of Lakewood Ranch.

What is the appeal to you?

I love the relationships I make with people through the sport. I have met some of my best friends that way. I would not have otherwise. 

What is your best skill?

I like playing defense the most (getting digs), so I'll go with that. 

What is your favorite memory?

I don't know that I can pick just one. Any time I get to play in front of my school and the crowd gets behind us, it is special. Hearing everyone cheering for you, it makes all the hard work pay off. 

What has been your biggest challenge?

Not giving it up. Volleyball is time-consuming. Sometimes you think, 'Is it worth it?' It is a big commitment. You have to love it for it to be worth it, and I do. 

What are your goals for this season?

We want to get farther than last year when we made the regional semifinals. (Lakewood Ranch lost to Venice 3-0.) If we could do that, it would be a big accomplishment for us. 

What is your favorite food?

I really like brownies, all different kinds of them. 

What is your favorite TV show?

This is lame, but I like watching Jeopardy! a lot. I watch it every day with my dad (David Dees). 

What is your dream vacation?

I would like to go somewhere in Europe. I have never been there before. I will say Italy. 

Which superpower would you pick?

The power to freeze time. There is not enough time in the day for me to do everything I want to do. This way, I could do anything I wanted. 

What is the best advice you have received?

Stay positive and set goals for yourself as motivation. That way, if I don't do something, I am letting myself down. It works for hard classes and sports. 

Finish this sentence: "Anna Shelby Dees is …"

… Loving life.