Kicking off the 2024-2025 season, Coral Gables Senior Highs’ Lady Cavaliers volleyball team remains undefeated. Embracing athleticism from the get-go, junior Bianca Benson has played a vital role in ensuring Gables’ successful season so far. Shining on the court, Bensons’ drive leads her to volleyball longing for the atmosphere.
Being introduced to the sport by her father as a means of fun on the weekend initiated her passion to start playing volleyball competitively with Miami Wave at 13 years old. Transitioning from outdoor to indoor volleyball at 14 years old, Benson realized that she wanted to pour all her time into volleyball, dropping rugby with Fort Miami Women’s Rugby Club, swimming, tennis and gymnastics.
“My biggest mentor is my dad who really pushed me at the beginning and taught me that overall coordination that you need for any sport as well as the mental [strategies]. As for a coach, my coach Frankie Barrios has for sure had the biggest impact on me and my performance as a growing beach volleyball player, really helping me learn how to play and think at the next level,” junior Bianca Benson said.
Discovering the Gables volleyball team motivated her to represent her school through what she specializes in. Setting a goal for herself, Benson worked diligently in hopes of making varsity her freshman year. Her perseverance and performance on the court allowed her to prove her capabilities, demonstrating she could play at a higher level than she had anticipated.
As a beginner, Benson adopted strategies such as a general passing form, mastering the certain angles to her serves and control of the platform. Constructing a pregame ritual, it consists of warming up while listening to music with bands and stretching out, while occasionally running up the stairs. In practices leading up to competitions, Benson pinpoints her weak points to improve and further execute them. Making the most of her free time, Benson remains active whether it be through beach or indoor volleyball practice, running or at the gym.
Initially playing as a middle hitter, Ms. De La Vega observed that Bensons’ strong passing abilities leaned more towards the position of an outside hitter, switching her position during sophomore year.
“I feel Bianca making varsity as a freshman boosted her confidence, even though she played a position she wasn’t used to. It opened up more of her talent that she didn’t know by playing a different position. Watching her grow into that confidence is super satisfying,” Coach De La Vega said.
Simultaneously, the seniors on the team ensured she did not feel excluded, in turn helping her grow on the team. Fostering the same tight-knit family, Benson hypes up the team during games to maintain morale and motivate them to win. Additionally, Benson has delegated the responsibilities of organizing the team through managing and planning practices.
With the introduction of Gables’ first beach volleyball team, Benson leaped at the chance, exploring both sides of the sport.
Extending her involvement outside of Gables, Benson plays for the Miami Volleyball Academy on their 17-1 National Team. Through volleyball competitions and tournaments, Benson has earned multiple recognitions being the number one best hitter in the district, second place in districts with the Gables team, bronze in a beach national tournament, fifth at an indoor nationals competition and athlete spotlight displaying her hard work through her performance.
“I’d say one of my role models is Samantha Bricio. When I first started playing, I also began watching pro volleyball games. At the time, Samantha was a star player for team Mexico, and I fell in love with the way she played. I remember wanting to look, play, and act like her on the court and she really inspired me to be the athlete that I am,” Benson said.
Through countless hours of dedication, a childhood passion was turned into reality. Surrounding herself with volleyball in every aspect of her life, she has truly immersed herself in the sport. Pursuing volleyball beyond high school, Benson aspires to play in Division 1 during college for the Association of Volleyball Professionals.
“I’ve played many sports growing up and none have compared to indoor and beach volleyball. The excitement I get from hitting a volleyball and making a kill on someone is incomparable to any other sport in my opinion. It makes me happy. If I didn’t have volleyball, I don’t know what I would do… and now I don’t want to stop,” Benson said.
