EDITOR’S NOTE: The Atlanta A5 Volleyball Club features more than 300 athletes, including several which are part of national qualifying teams. The following is Part 8 in a series of features about the A5 players who also compete in DeKalb County during the school season.

She may have been new to the Atlanta A5 Volleyball Club this year, but Bailey Weiland wasted no time rising to the top.

Weiland, a Marist junior, joined A5 this season after competing under the A5 umbrella with the GA5 Club in Suwanee. She was placed on the Open team for her age group, which is considered the top team in the age group.

“I have really learned a lot from the experience,” Weiland said. “The coaches and the other girls have been really good about helping me out when it comes to skills or anything else.”

Weiland said her coaches have been tough on her, but she knows why they are so tough.

“They are hard on you, but in the end you realize why they are doing that,” she said. “I definitely feel like we have been productive.”

Weiland said it was an honor to come in and make the top team immediately.

“It has been really good because I love to go to the tournaments and see how good our team can be,” she said. “Being at the highest level is pushing me to be the better player that I can be. I have realized how much better as a player I can be by competing at the top level.”

Weiland said she enjoys being a primary hitter on the floor and jumping as high as she can.

Weiland said playing outside hitter is somewhat of a family thing.

“I have four sisters who all played volleyball and who all played outside hitter,” Weiland said. “It is a family position.”

She said when she joins sisters Leah, 25, twin 21-year-olds Paige and Whitney and Hannah, 14, around a volleyball there is a competitive feeling.

“Anytime we are around a volleyball there are usually a lot of arguments,” Weiland said.

Weiland said she is excited to be one of the upperclassmen when she returns to Marist for school season.

“I feel like I will have to step into a big leadership position,” she said. “Last year as a sophomore I felt kind of young. It will be much different this year. I am really excited to step into that leadership position because it is something I have always wanted to do.”