Plymouth North’s Eyleen Dias enjoys every moment she’s on the volleyball court

Eyleen Dias has had a big impact on the Plymouth North volleyball program in a short period of time.

PLYMOUTH – Eyleen Dias doesn’t have to tell you about the love she has for volleyball. You see it in her eyes when she’s on the court. You hear it in her voice when she talks about the finer aspects of the game.

“I started playing volleyball with a club team in Brazil when I was 11 and I grew to love everything about the game. I play it with passion because that’s the kind of person that I am,” the senior captain of the Plymouth North volleyball team said. “I’m very passionate about the game but I always try to play with a big smile on my face because volleyball means so much to me.”

Dias’ positive attitude is working wonders for the Lady Eagles this season, who were guaranteed a winning season with a record of 6-4 headed into the final game of the regular season Thursday night against Marshfield High.

Dias played libero on the back line as a junior before seamlessly switching over to outside hitter this season. She’s been a leading reason for her team’s success and was recently named a Max Preps Player of the Week for a string of games in which she had 36 kills, 40 digs, 69 receptions, five aces and a block in nine sets of action.

“Eyleen is the complete package as a volleyball player and also an amazing teammate. She not only brings up her own game, but she’s also able to bring up her teammates with the way she communicates on the court and keeps encouraging everyone when they do well. She knows how to both instruct on the court and build kids up in a positive way at the same time,” Plymouth North Head Coach Jane Burt said. “She’s such an intense competitor, but you also know Eyleen always has a smile under her mask when she’s playing volleyball.”

Dias played other sports like soccer, basketball, and handball while growing up, but it was volleyball that earned the biggest piece of her heart. It remains that way today. In addition to playing with the Blue Eagles she also trains with MGA Volleyball club team in Hanover.

“Volleyball was the first sport that I really connected with when I was younger. I played club volleyball in Brazil, which can be pretty intense, but that was okay with me because I fell in love with the sport,” said Dias. “We were either practicing or playing games each day against some really good teams. I loved the challenge of playing at that level.”

The 18-year-old took a winding path to get to her senior year at Plymouth North. She lived in Brockton until the age of 2, when she moved with family to Brazil. She lived there until coming to Plymouth at the beginning of her sophomore year to live with her mother.

“Her command of English was a little limited at that time, so to see how far Eyleen has come in a little over two years is incredible,” Burt said. “She’s worked as hard in the classroom as she has on the volleyball court, and Eyleen is now a National Honor Society student with a good chance to play volleyball at the college level.”

“I try to do well and work hard in all of my classes but the remote learning has been tough on all of us, students as well as teachers included. I really miss seeing everyone every day,” said Dias, whose favorite classes include math and philosophy. “In the beginning it was hard, but I think it gets a little easier the more we do it.”

While she couldn’t play with the volleyball team as a sophomore because of her late arrival into the school system, Dias still was around the team each day as a manager. She said that time was “huge for me” as she adapted to her new school and quickly formed bonds with her soon-to-be teammates.

“I was there at all the games and practices, filling water bottles, taking down statistics and doing whatever I could to help out. I may not have been able to play, but I was still part of the team and that was a huge deal for me,” Dias explained. “Just being there with the team and forming friendships with my teammates was huge in helping me adjust to living here. But I was counting down the days until I could play.

“All of my teammates have been awesome and helped me so much,” Dias added. “We have a connection as a team and it extends outside of the school.”

Dias fit right in last year as the starting libero. She helped out quickly as Plymouth North made the playoffs for the first time in 20 years. She quickly showed everyone she had the skills to play anywhere on the court and has found a home at outside hitter this year.

“Eyleen has an amazing skill set and great instincts for the game of volleyball, ” Burt said. “She’s only 5-5, but her vertical leap is outstanding. She jumps like she’s 5-10 and also has a quick and powerful swing on the ball. I can see Eyleen playing libero or even setter in college depending on what level she wants to go for.”

Dias left little doubt that she wants as much volleyball as possible in her future. Like her classmates she’s in the college search process right now and looking for the right place athletically and academically for her next stop.

“I want to play volleyball in college sooooo bad,” Dias said with a laugh. “I’m doing my homework on schools right now and hopefully I can find the right fit for me with my academics and also have a chance to play at the next level.”

Email the reporter at dwolcott@wickedlocal.com and you can follow him on Twitter, @DavidWolcott1.