You’d never guess that Eustis High School (EHS) volleyball player Brooke Fintak is relatively new to the sport.

When Brooke was in eighth grade, she started playing at the local YMCA, where her dad was her coach. 

“I thought it was interesting and we were winning,” she says. “I ended up trying out for the Eustis volleyball team when I was a freshman and made it. I’ve loved playing volleyball ever since.” 

(Brooke Fintak has an impressive kill shot. The ball rocket’s off er right arm during a recent game against Tavares which Eustis would win 3-1.)

As a junior at EHS, Brooke led the Lady Panthers in aces (47), serving percentage (93.5%) and kill shots (259!) in 2023.

Brooke also plays with the ST7 Volleyball, a highly competitive travel program that won four gold medals in its most recent season. Brooke was excited to be part of the success and a bonded team. 

“Outside the court is where the true camaraderie comes in,” she says. “Getting to know everyone on a personal level off the court helps you when you get back on the court.” 

Brooke is also a tremendous scholar. She boasts a 4.6 GPA and is involved with honors and AP classes. 

In addition, Brooke started out as a volunteer and now works at the Eustis Recreation Department, where she also spends her time mentoring young volleyball players as well as assisting and tutoring young students with homework. 

“I love giving back to this sport by teaching, but also love helping kids with their academics,” Brooke says. “I know how important academics are and strive to teach young kids how to balance both academics and athletics.” 

(Brooke is not just a great volleyball player but also a top scholar. She has a 4.6 GPA.)

Brooke has experienced tremendous growth and is now looking toward the future. 

“I am so excited to begin my senior year,” she says. “We have a great group of girls returning. We will have a new coach and things are looking up for the Lady Panthers in 2024.” 

Brooke has a great support system in her father, Rob, mother, Jennifer, and younger brother, Zachary. 

Brooke is looking forward to supporting her basketball-playing brother, who will be a freshman at EHS for the 2024/2025 school year. 

“I love my little brother,” she says. “I make sure to set an example as an older sister, so he sees all the hard work athletically and academically.” 

When it comes to hard work, Brooke embraces it on and off the court.

When asked her advice for kids getting into the sport of volleyball, Brooke says: “My advice is that nothing comes easy, and you have to work towards everything to achieve your goals. Never give up. It wasn’t easy for me when I first started playing volleyball. But like anything if you practice hard enough and believe in yourself, anything is possible.”