VYPE: What grade are you in, what position do you play and when did you start playing volleyball? –
Tyler Finch: I’m a senior and I play Libero (Defensive Specialist). I started playing volleyball in 6th grade.
VYPE: What is your favorite memory or moment as a player for VHS?
TF: At Verdigris we have an annual event called midnight practice, my junior year, the team dressed as Adam Sandler. It was so funny!
VYPE: I understand you spent time in Vanuatu this summer. What was that like?
TF: Yes, it was awesome, I had the opportunity to go to the island of Vanuatu for three weeks to do humanitarian service with other kids my age. This was a Christian based program that helps underprivileged areas. While I was in Vanuatu, I helped build a school for kids who, because of a cyclone, were without a place to learn. They were meeting in tents, and we helped build them a school. One of the things that I love most about Vanuatu was the people. While I served them, I learned to appreciate them and loved how nice, kind and humble they were. This may sound crazy, but I made eternal friendships with some of the Vanuatu kids my age. While in Vanuatu it wasn’t all service, I was fortunate enough to go sightseeing and be introduced to the island people and see how they lived firsthand. It was an experience I will never forget.
VYPE: What makes VHS a great place for you as a student-athlete?
TF: Verdigris is a great place for me because they work with my schedule and help me become a better teammate and person.
VYPE: What do you love most about your team and teammates?
TF: One of the things that I love about being on this team is that we get to travel and play teams from all over the state. I love my teammates. They are super supportive. When I first moved here from Utah, I had no friends, and they took me in like I was family. I am forever grateful for the friendships I have made. Another thing that makes our team so great is that we are all very unique and have different beliefs but have mutual respect for each other. Our focus each day is just to become better people.
VYPE: Which teammate keeps everyone laughing, who is the most serious?
TF: Paisley and Morgan are probably the most serious on the court, and for me, I think Bailey makes me laugh the most.
VYPE: Which teammate has impressed you the most this year?
TF: I think that would be Morgan. She brings an intensity to the court that helps us become better players. She is a great player and is super consistent which helps our team a ton.
VYPE: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
TF: My club team coach in Utah would tell me to just have fun. Whenever I am having fun, I am playing my best volleyball.
VYPE: What’s the goal for life after high school?
TF: Go to college for a year and then hopefully I will serve a mission for my church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
