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ROGERSVILLE, Mo. — Hanna Hendrickson is surrounded by family in two senses.
First, there are her fellow seniors, Bay Ivie and Ashley Pierson, who have become the winningest four-year group ever for the Logan-Rogersville volleyball program.
She’s never been shocked hearing that statistic.
“It’s really flattering but it’s also something that we’ve worked so hard for,” she said. “It doesn’t really come as a surprise because we’ve worked so hard.”
Second, there is her sister, Birdie, who is in the middle of her only varsity season as her teammate. In fact, the Hendrickson sisters had never played or even practiced together until this summer, despite picking up the sport when they were each eight years old.
They have different styles, and obviously are not twins, but may as well share a brain.
“We’ve watched each other for years so the transition from club or preseason to regular season was so easy for us.”
Tammy Miller has coached plenty of talent in her career at Rogersville, but calls this situation unique, having siblings and teammates that are each dominant in their own way. Birdie is already turning the heads of recruiters by leading the team in kills (294 entering districts) and showing off her long reach. Hanna had amassed 212 assists and 139 kills through the regular season and should also push for all-region honors.
“They have a high IQ of the game, they keep getting better, they’re open to suggestions, and very coachable,” Miller said.
Why not? They had they right atmosphere growing up, given their mother played at the University of Florida. On the court, their bond is obvious from first glance. Birdie runs down the warmup lines and bear hugs Hanna around the neck at every chance. They exchange laughs, advice, and probably some barbs in between points.
And they definitely don’t fight… or do they?
“Everyone is like: do you bicker with each other during practice? We don’t,” Birdie said.
Coach Miller tells a different story.
“I’ve got pictures of them fighting with each other. I think Hanna had Birdie against the wall chewing her out,” she said. “They fight in the huddle and just pick at each other. It’s all in fun.”
So, normal sibling stuff. They admitted their arguments are mostly based around fashion, makeup, and stealing each others outfits. Birdie claimed Hanna had stolen her spandex on Tuesday for the district tournament at Marshfield, while the freshman was allegedly sporting her older sister’s socks.
Once they get to school, there isn’t much to fight about.
“They are their best critics, but they fight for each other. I’m cherishing every moment I have this year with them.”
The Hendrickson family is certainly cherishing this season, one that has yielded the fifth straight district championship for Rogersville. They enter a matchup with Helias Catholic in the Class 3 sectionals on Saturday with a 20-game win streak.
Hanna said it’s all just been part of the process to cap her career with a state championship. It’s one that she’s enjoying, no matter how long it lasts, with her Birdie by her side.
“Sadly it’s my last,” she said, “but I’m blessed to be able to spend it playing with my sister.”
