As the senior setter for the Lady Cougars volleyball team at Chatham High School in New Jersey, and standing at 5- foot 11-inches tall, Marika Racibarskas, age 18, is an athlete with a great attitude and a laser-sharp focus on the court. As the team captain, Marika helps keep her team in their game, and is always a strong presence and support for her teammates.

But becoming a winning athlete isn’t easy. Throughout her high school years, Marika has worked incredibly hard to become the best she can be at the sport. She has been fortunate to be able to train with devoted coaches, exceptional trainers and to be able to play with outstanding team members. She also has spent much of her life playing the sport.

Marika began playing volleyball as a young child while attending a Latvian summer camp in the United States each summer. In fact, she attributes her Latvian heritage as being key in fostering her interest in and passion for the game. Marika explains that in Latvia, volleyball is a popular sport for men and women of all ages. Children, teens, adults, even grandparents play volleyball, and everyone seems to be equally enthusiastic about the game!

Marika attended a Latvian Language School and continued playing volleyball at the Latvian summer camp for six weeks every summer. Last summer was her final summer at the camp, and Marika was pleased to be able to end her camping days at the camp on a high note: the team she played on won the summer championship!

Although she completed the language program and graduated from the language school last summer, Marika says she is grateful to have had so many wonderful summer experiences.

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