EDEN HIEBERT CREATING OWN PATH WITH BLUE DRAGONS

By Amanda Carney
Hutchinson Collegian Staff Writer
BlueDragonSports.com Contributing Writer

It was only last year when Page Hiebert was at Hutchinson Community College, playing volleyball under head coach Patrick Hall. Now, Page's kid sister, Eden, is at HutchCC, also playing volleyball for the Blue Dragons.

Growing up, the Hiebert girls often played on the same team under the same coaches, edging on their competitiveness on the court and against each other.

Although Eden was following in her sister's footsteps, she had her own worries.

"One of my main concerns coming here was being compared to her as a player," Eden said when asked about coming to HutchCC.

Eden and Hall discussed the situation before she even decided where she would play college volleyball.

"Coach Hall and I made a deal before I committed to play here, that he wouldn't compare the two of us," Eden Hiebert said. "He has kept his word, and I appreciate that so much."

Coach Hall has managed to keep Page's name out of practice, focusing on the athlete he currently has on the court.

Eden has also felt the pressure of living up to her sister's success. Page was just the 11th Blue Dragon volleyball NJCAA All-American in program history, and seventh American-born All-American.

So far, Eden is starting to make a name for herself. In seven matches played, Eden leads the Blue Dragons with 57 kills. She also has 41 digs and 10 blocks.

Eden also faced the challenge of moving from a small-town school, to HutchCC.

Coming from Goessel High School, Eden was worried about the challenges she would face during the game. Moving from high school volleyball to college volleyball presented a change. Not only would the pace of the game change, but the hits would get harder and serves would get more challenging.

Growing up with an older sister close in age has not always been easy, but Eden has learned that there are worse things in life than being compared to an older sister.

"Page is an amazing athlete, and I think that I have actually benefited from being so close in age," Eden said. "She is one of my biggest role models and I love her to death."

There is not much stronger than a sister's bond.