Two for one: Interview with Grace Novitsky and Sadie Ripka

By Kenny Varner Jr.
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: July 16, 2023

Editor’s Note: Tara Jackson recently had the chance to catch up with Bellefonte Senior Grace Novitsky and Bellefonte Junior Sadie Ripka to ask them some questions about their athletic careers:

Grace Novitsky

Sadie Ripka

HS: How long have you played the current sports you are in?

GN:I have played softball since I was 10 years old, and I only started playing volleyball my freshman year, but I wish I would’ve started earlier.

SR: I’ve played softball since I was 5 and volleyball since my freshman year.

HS: What is one piece of advice you’d like to offer younger athletes?

GN:Make the most of the time you have, don’t take days off, practices off, or reps off, because it will be over before you know it. It’s better to look back and know that you were the absolute best you could be rather than regretting the potential you lost by thinking you had more time than you do.

SR:Never think you are too good for someone/ something. you can always get better and always need work.

HS: Who is someone you look up to?

GN:I look up to the coaches and teammates that have pushed me to be not only the best athlete I could be, but the best person I could be as well.

SR:Someone I look up to is my older sister who constantly pushed through everything no matter how hard sports or school got for her.

HS: What are your goals for volleyball/softball?

GN:My goals for the volleyball and softball season this year are to make sure everyone involved has as much fun as possible. I believe there is no way for a team to be successful if everyone on the team is miserable. I want everyone to enjoy playing, in addition to winning, obviously.

SR: My goals for volleyball are to win districts as a team and my goal for softball is to get another career home run

HS: Which strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?

GN:I believe my ability to lead is something that makes me the athlete I am, as well as my ability to transform criticism into advancement.

SR:I believe I am a good teammate and great at communicating. I speak a lot on the court and on the field helping others know situations.

HS: What are your plans after high school?

GN:My plans after high school consist of going to a college, hopefully in the south, to major in business and minor in art.

SR:My plans after high school are to continue my education and go to college to earn my degree in early education and either play volleyball or softball.

HS: Is there a coach or teammate who has gone above and beyond and pushed you more than anyone?

GN:I would say the coach that has pushed me more than anyone would be my mom. While there have been many nights spent screaming at a softball field, the expectations she set for me pushed me beyond what I thought was possible for myself.

SR:Yes, Madison Melius has pushed me more than anyone the last few years and has always had my back no matter what the situation was and never stopped believing in me.