Faces off the field gives a deep look into the thoughts and lives of high school athletes in the Austin area. Today we feature Westlake volleyball Sydney Yohe, who believes there is extra pressure to win at Westlake because previous teams in all sports have been successful.

Tell something about you that most people don’t know.

I used to ride horses and compete in shows before I played volleyball. We used to have three horses, so my mom taught me how to ride.

Other than sports, tell me something you’re really good at.

I am really good at art. I draw, paint and do my own nails. I’m a very creative and artistic person and have been drawing my whole life.

MORE: Austin High volleyball takes down Dripping Springs

MORE: State volleyball champion Gentry Barker fires up Lake Travis

If you had a free plane ticket to go wherever you wanted to go in the world, where would you go? 

I would go to the Maldives. I would choose to go there because I love the beach and want to see if the water is really that clear and blue in real life.

If you could live any year of your life over again, what year would you choose?

I would choose the age 6 because my family used to go to an island called Peelee (in the Canadian province of Ontario) every year, and I want to remember what it was like.

What will you do after you graduate?

After I graduate, I will be attending Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and playing volleyball there. I will be majoring in graphic design.

What is your favorite volleyball memory at Westlake?

It was probably the tournament season last year. That was the closest team I have ever been on. We got along super well. Staying in hotels together was a lot of fun. 

Is there extra pressure to win at Westlake because most of the other sports are successful?

Yes. Westlake is well known for football, so everyone knows us and wants to beat us. I also feel like there’s an extra pressure to prove to other students that our volleyball team is really good too and is worth watching.

MORE: Westlake football trounces Cibolo Steele

Do you have any rituals on the day of a game?

I always put my gear on in the same order: left sock, right sock, left kneepad, right kneepad, left shoe, right shoe.

If you could have dinner with any four people in the history of the world, who would they be?

I would have dinner with (folk-pop singer) Noah Kahan, Simone Biles, John Lennon and Bob Ross.

John Lennon?

 I would choose John Lennon because I would love to learn about his creative process and how he was able to shape music for years to come. 

You’re in charge of the menu. What will you serve?

I would serve sushi because it is one of my favorite foods and there are so many different choices to pick from.

— Rick Cantu