Having big shoes to fill as a junior volleyball player is the opportunity of a lifetime for Landry Roberts. 

For much of her life, Roberts has had a front-row seat to watching great athletes, whether they were a part of a rich tradition and culture at Cheyenne Mountain, where her father is athletic director, or the numerous high-tier volleyball players to come out of her Colorado Juniors Volleyball Club such as Olympic gold medalist Haleigh Washington, state champions Erika Sayer and Olivia Plentl or former Red-Tailed Hawks teammate Anna Blamires.  

It’s her turn to lead, and the outside hitter takes pride in the job. 

“Cheyenne Mountain’s always had the stereotype of being dominant in volleyball and we’ve made it to state for the past 26 years and it’s kind of just an expectation for us to go pretty far, and with pressure that becomes a big weight to put on but that’s what makes it so much fun is because the community I think has so much support,” Roberts said. “I’ve just been watching sporting events for my entire life, especially here, and now to be a part of it and kind of be the younger girls’ idol is a dream come true because I’ve always wanted to be a role model for these girls, not only as an athlete but as a person.”

Roberts fills both aspects of the role as captain of the Hawks and is this week’s Gazette Preps Peak Performer.

Athletically, her numbers speak for themselves as she leads her team in kills (329), aces (59) and receptions (528). Roberts’ kills rank 21st in the state, and her aces are 15th in 4A volleyball according to MaxPreps. 

But real leadership, the kind that inspires Roberts, is more than just what’s on the stat sheet.

As a sophomore last year, Roberts said she was a captain alongside Blamires. While she showed up in the stats with 364 kills, second-most on the team, Blamires was Cheyenne Mountain’s vocal leader, said coach Ellen Cross. Blamires and eight other seniors graduated and now, it’s Roberts who’s speaking in the team huddles during matches and team talks during practice. 

Roberts said this year has been about understanding each of her teammates and how to motivate them. 

“One of my girls, Aivah King, she takes a lot of criticism, and she loves to be able to be pushed, and I know that about her so I’ll push her and say ‘you got that’ and I’ll push her to be the best,” Robert said. “And the other girls they need a little bit more encouragement. I’m their No. 1 supporter, and I love just being everyone’s cheerleader, so I like to be the person that everyone can come to, but also be everyone’s biggest cheerleader and supporter on the team.”

Roberts knows that great teammates are key to success in any volleyball program. She said it’s why Colorado Juniors has produced so many talented players. The wisdom she learned from her older club teammates is what she relies on moving forward. 

“It is those girls that make it so amazing. Erika Sayer, like you mentioned, she’s been one of my biggest idols because she was on the same team with Anna Blamires,” she said. “I’ve had multiple conversations with her and just talking to them and seeing how they play the game and seeing all of them go off to college, which was my biggest dream since I was 12 years old, has really inspired me to be a better volleyball player and a better teammate.”

Roberts is well on her way to fulfilling that dream as she has verbally committed to Texas Tech. She looks forward to playing against Blamires, who plays for BYU. 

For now, Roberts and the rest of the Hawks will focus on this weekend’s 4A state tournament which takes place at the Denver Coliseum. 

According to Cross, Roberts’ best attribute is her commitment to being a great teammate through her positive mindset. That will help guide the Hawks as they compete for state title.