FRUITPORT – If you want to determine who has done what to help the Fruitport volleyball team soar this season, you could check the stats.

Sadie Haase gets an ton of kills. Gracelynn Olson gets a pile of assists. Ellie Stroup and Emma Fecher provide a lot of digs. And the list goes on.

But some contributions can’t be measured in numbers.

Senior captain Tara Sweet, a defensive specialist, does all sorts of things for the Trojans that will never be recorded in a record book, but make a huge difference.

It has a lot to do with leadership and a persistently positive attitude, which have come in handy for the Trojans in good times and bad.

“She’s a fantastic leader,” said Fruitport Coach Nicole Bayle about Sweet, a third-year varsity player. “She’s been voted captain two straight years by her peers. She’s really one of those glue kids that every team needs.

“With some kids you can pick out a certain game when they were a great leader, but what makes her unique is that it’s an every day, every practice, every game thing. She shows up in practice and works hard and talks to her teammates to help make us better.

“She makes us who we are because of who she is. She doesn’t take a day offs. It’s rare to get a kid who’s always on in this way.”

Sweet explains it very simply:

“I always try to give my full effort and energy,” she said. “Even if I’m not having the best day, I try to focus on volleyball and making my teammates better.”

That positive leadership has paid off for the Trojans.

They struggled and had losing records in Sweet’s sophomore and junior years, but this season they have sprung to life, posting an outstanding 32-11 mark and winning the O-K Silver conference championship.

“My senior year has been great,” Sweet said. “We’ve been doing great. Coming from a tough conference last year really helped build up our confidence for this season.”

Sweet and the Trojans are now hunting another trophy, in the Division 2 district tournament at Orchard View High School this wek. Fruitport will play Whitehall in the semifinal round on Thursday, with the winner advancing to play Spring Lake or Montague on in the finals on Saturday.

“It would be amazing,” Sweet said about potentially winning a district title. “It would really help showcase the accomplishments we’ve had this year. I’m hoping we can keep it going, and I really feel this team has a great shot at being on top in the state.”

There is one offensive area where Sweet’s contributions really stick out statistically– serving the ball.

She is currently serving at a 95 percent accuracy rate, and is second on the team in aces with 68 this season.

“She’s by far our most consistent server,” Coach Bayle said. “She does a great job of hitting the ball in a strategic spot. Serving is really a specialty of hers.”

Sweet understands the important of landing that first shot in the right place.

“I think that with the serve being the first contact, it’s important to be consistent with it,” Sweet said. “You either make your serve or you don’t. It can really affect how the game goes. I try my best and work a lot on it.”

While winning has been a big bonus for Sweet this season, she has been determined to enjoy her senior season either way, particularly playing with her young sister, sophomore Alexa Sweet.

“I wouldn’t have thought I’d ever get the chance,” she said about teaming up with her sister. “She’s really put in the hard work to be on varsity, and it gives us this privilege. It’s so special to have someone I love on the court with me. Every practice and game is really special because of that.”

Regardless of how the state tournament goes, Sweet is thankful for her varsity volleyball experience, and the faith that her teammates have continued to put in her.

“I’ve been honored,” she said. “I love that my teammates trust me and have that belief in me being a leader, on and off the court. I’m not always on the court, but I’m always cheering them on. It’s an honor for me to be their captain two years in a row.”