An aspiring fashion designer, South Carroll volleyball player Chelsea Donohue says she wouldn't make a single alteration to the Cavaliers' uniforms. No wonder, considering the success her team had wearing them this season.
The senior started at libero (defensive specialist) for South Carroll, anchoring the back row for a squad that finished 13-6 and claimed the Class 1A state title last weekend with a four-game win over Boonsboro.
What drew you to volleyball?
Well, I played basketball out of school, and a lot of the basketball players played volleyball. So I kind of started playing because all of my friends were.
Have you always been a defensive specialist?
No, I came to the Francis Scott Key game last year and forgot my black jersey. I had to wear a white jersey from the JV team, and ever since then I've been playing libero [liberos wear different jerseys than their teammates]. At first, I wasn't sure what I was and wasn't allowed to do. I didn't really know the rules about it.
How different would you say libero is from the other positions on the court?
It's easier because I don't have to be subbed in -- I can just run in and out. And I can't jump and hit the ball past the 10-foot line. But other than that, it's just like every other position.
Your team had a few rough spots this season, but really shined in the playoffs and went on to claim the Class 1A state title. Was there anything you learned in your three-game loss to Boonsboro during the season that helped you defeat that team in the state final?
We kind of learned where certain players' spots were. They killed us right in the middle of the court the first time, so we tried to pick up our coverage in the state championship game. That helped us a lot.
Had you personally ever before experienced the kind of emotions that come with winning a state title?
I'd never experienced that level of happiness. It was a lot of fun, and the fact that everyone was there supporting us made it so much more valuable.
Aside from volleyball, another passion of yours is fashion design. Can you tell me a little bit about the program you're taking in school?
It's a program at the Carroll County Career and Technology Center, right next to Westminster High School. I go up there for most of my day -- about four hours every day. We learn how to sew and design outfits, as well as about certain influences that affect fashion.
Is fashion something you've always been interested in?
Yes, since I was young. My grandmother sews and my aunt sews, so it's kind of like a family thing. I think the first thing I made was pajama pants when I was 11.
What's the next step in your career? Do you pursue this in college, or do you need real-world experience?
You could go to a trade school, where you can just strictly work on fashion. But I'm going to college to do fashion design. From there, I can definitely see myself doing this [as a career]. In the state of Maryland, there isn't a college that has fashion design, so I'll have to go out of state. I'd most like to go to either Delaware or Radford.
What is it about fashion design that particularly attracts you?
I love hands-on things and I like being able to make something from nothing. It's an achievement for me to be able to design something. It's a way for me to be creative.
Do you plan to continue playing volleyball in college?
I'm probably going to focus more on academics, but I'll definitely play intramural and possibly club volleyball.
As an aspiring fashion designer, what's your opinion of South Carroll's volleyball uniforms?
I definitely like our uniforms. They're unique compared to everyone else's. I think they're cool.
What are your influences in fashion design? Are there particular designers you'd like to emulate?
A lot of my inspiration comes from everyday things. I'm a big nature person, so anything like flowers and things, sometimes I incorporate that into my designs. With all of the outfits we make at the Tech Center, we have to have an inspiration for all of them. We try to find things to inspire us. But I definitely like Vera Wang -- her wedding gowns.