Sports have a unique way of bringing people together during tough times and serving as an escape from reality.
In Neosho, volleyball is giving one girl a beam of light during a dark time in her country’s history.
Mariia Yakubova has always been one to try new things.
“My parents have always encouraged me in things I want to do, so I’m always open to trying new stuff,” said the Neosho senior.
Perhaps that willingness for adventure started as a kid.
“Since I was small and watching all these movies about American high school I was like ‘Oh my god I want to go there,’” she added.
So, she did. Mariia moved to America to attend Neosho high school in August of 2021, as part of an exchange program.
“I was scheduled to go home in June (2022),” Mariia added.
However, home was no longer safe for her.
“My dad stayed in my hometown and my mom and sister are in Poland. I think they went there like a month after it happened. My dad is very protective and was like ‘I don’t want you here until it is safe.’ So he just sent them there,” she said.
Mariia’s hometown is in Ukraine. When Russia invaded her home country in February, it crushed her hopes of returning home to see her family.
Still in America, Mariia is getting by just the way her parents taught her to, by trying something new.
“She just kind of approached me towards the end of the school year last year and said, ‘Hey I’m interested in volleyball I’ve never played before,’” Neosho volleyball coach Jessica Walton said.
“We don’t have competitive sports in Ukraine,” Mariia added.
With no prior experience, Mariia plays a much more valuable role than any outside hitter ever could.
“She smiles constantly, she’s super encouraging with the girls. The girls just love her,” Walton said.
“Her smile is so bright all the time even through all the trials she’s been through I know it can be really hard, but she always stays so positive,” Mariia’s teammate Capri Williams said.
Mariia says that positive attitude wouldn’t be possible without her newly found volleyball family.
“It helps you switch between some bad thoughts that you might have, and of course I have them, but I really think volleyball helps,” said Mariia.
Her presence has given the team, and coach Walton, a renewed love for the game and for life.
“She’s just happy to be here. That’s so important for athletes around the world to see that we need athletes that are just happy to be in the gym, happy to be on the court with their friends. She just perseveres and just keeps going, she doesn’t let the negativity get in her head,” said Walton.
“I have my moments, but I just feel like the way you treat people is the way people treat you, so I’m just trying to be like a little shine for everyone,” Mariia said.
A little shine during an otherwise dark time.
Mariia says her family is safe and she’s in contact with her parents and sister daily. She hopes to reunite with her family next summer.
