Plymouth senior Creekmore’s volleyball journey heads to San Antonio
Plymouth four-year varsity volleyball player Tara Creekmore signed recently to continue her career at Saint Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.
Tara Creekmore’s introduction to the sport of volleyball was pretty ordinary.
“When I was 5 or 6, my mom signed me up for a Friday night clinic at High Velocity Sports,” Creekmore remembered. “I loved it from the start.”
From that day forward, Creekmore’s volleyball journey has been extraordinary.
In November, she verbally committed to play college volleyball for NCAA Division II Saint Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.
The fact that St. Mary’s recruited Creekmore as aggressively as it did speaks volumes about her talent as the state of Texas is loaded with outstanding volleyball players.
“I really like the coaches (Laura and Dave Ulrich) at St. Mary’s,” Creekmore said. “They really went out of their way to make a connection with me.”
Her recently-completed volleyball career at Plymouth High School was exemplary as she was not only a four-year varsity starter, but a four-year All-Conference honoree.
Kills galore
Creekmore racked up 1,076 kills at Plymouth — thought to be a school record, but it hasn’t been confirmed.
“It turns out a one-hour clinic at High Velocity changed my life,” Creekmore said. “Once I was old enough, I tried out for High Velocity’s club team and made it.”
Her High Velocity experience has come full circle as she currently serves as a volleyball coach at HVS.
“The thing I like the best about volleyball is that it’s a team-based sport,” Creekmore said. “You have to have good teammates to be successful. It’s a unique sport that requires a lot of team chemistry.”
Creekmore has played for three coaches in four years at Plymouth and played with several setters.
“All three of my high school coaches have their own style, which I liked,” she said. “I’ve played with some really talented setters, too, which is important because they’re like the quarterback of the team.”
Stellar student
One of the top outside hitters the past four years in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association, Creekmore is also a standout student. She currently owns a 3.94 grade-point average and was named an AAU Academic All-American.
Creekmore will pursue a degree in forensic science at St. Mary’s.
“Not many colleges offer a forensic science major and St. Mary’s has three I can choose from,” she said.
Fittingly, the launcher of speed-of-missiles kills is planning to focus on the ballistics side of forensic science.
Future in forensics
“It’s something that I’ve had an interest in for a while,” she said, explaining her choice of majors.
Creekmore emphasized how important the support of her mom (Karin Creekmore) has been during her life — both on the court and off.
“I wouldn’t be playing college volleyball without my mom,” Creekmore said. “She’s amazing. She’s my No. 1 fan and she’s there for me no matter what.”
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
