Even with all eyes on her, Djay Seaward, a middle blocker and the captain of our Plano Senior High volleyball team, Seaward swiftly broke the school record for the most blocks in a career, a total of more than 420, while her team was going through one of its most competitive seasons. Because of her court consistency and off-court leadership, Seaward has become known as a person who can handle pressure and whom the team can rely on in intense situations. 

However, volleyball is just one chapter of her story. Pregame prayers with her mom, going to bed late while writing or playing Fornite, Seaward combines competition with faith, humor and choosing a positive perspective. Her record might be the most noticeable achievement, but it is her character and the way she treats others that truly define her. 

“In close moments—like when the score is tied—my team relies on me,” Seaward said. “Knowing they’re depending on me to score or hold everyone together helps me grow.”

On the court she’s known as the voice that steadies everyone when tension runs high. Her composure, she said, comes from practice and perspective.

“We practice pressure moments too—last-point drills, situations where the middles have to score, drills you can’t get out of without performing,” she said. “Some people break down under pressure, but knowing I do well in it makes me more confident.”

Going into her senior year, Seaward didn’t plan to make history. At least, not consciously. Last season she wasn’t even aware that she was so close to breaking any record. But this year, something shifted. 

“I came in with a goal for how many blocks I wanted, but preseason rotations changed a lot,” Seaward said. “So I knew I wasn’t gonna hit my 500 career blocks, but that’s ok! Still, I focused on doing what I could.”

A turning point happened though, with two games in particular that stood out. This was during the two consecutive home games against Allen and rival Plano West. The gym was tense. The crowd was loud. West’s side, she said, wasn’t exactly quiet either. 

“When we beat West, there were a lot of derogatory comments coming from their side,” she said. “I love playing in environments where the pressure is right in my face. I was still getting blocks and performing well, and that’s when I realized, ‘I’m going to do something great this year.’ I thrived under that pressure.”

For Seaward, those games weren’t just stats, they were a prime example of plano pride. Plano West has always been a rival of Plano Senior, and that rivalry fueled the fire for many of her favorite volleyball memories. 

“My first year on varsity, when we beat West in five sets, that was one of my favorites,” she said. “The seniors had never beaten them before, and everyone was so invested—starters, bench, coaches, everyone. The crowd was hype. That environment was unforgettable.” 

Those games built up her confidence and ability to lead. Whether it was just a district game or a suspenseful championship at nationals, she treats every game like an opportunity to prove herself. 

Behind all her stats and hard work in practice, Seaward credits her success to something a bit more personal: faith.

“I pray a lot,” she said. “My family is Christian, so I recite verses—especially Proverbs 3:5–6. That keeps me grounded.”

She and her mom pray before every single game, something she’s done since club volleyball. Her mom, who works in media and photography at Seaward’s old club, still reminds her of the basic drills before matches. 

“She’ll say, ‘Big steps on the block, lock in,’ and then we pray,” Seaward said. “It helps me feel like I have my mom and I have God. I know I’m not going through it alone.”

Her faith doesn’t just stop at the court, she holds it with her in how she handles school, leadership, and pressure.

“I’ve always held myself to high standards in school and in life,” she said. “If I’m not giving something 100 percent, it bothers me. I’m also the oldest child, so maybe that matters,I’ve always felt like the example for my siblings.” 

When challenges come up she leans on prayer, breathing techniques, and positive self talk.

“Prayer, breathing, and positive self-talk help me stay balanced,” she said. “Sometimes I just tell myself, ‘Girl, you’ve got this.’”

For Seaward, home is where her confidence started, and where her competitive streak was built. 

“At home it’s my mom, dad, me, my 15-year-old sister, my 11- or 12-year-old brother, and the twins who are nine,” she said. “There are five of us, so we’re always competing—for snacks, in games, everything.”

In the Seaward household, competition is a part of the culture. But it’s the fun kind, the kind that pushes everyone to be their best. 

“We used to play basketball in the backyard, do drawing competitions, play video games,everything turned competitive,” Seaward said. “But it’s fun competition, and we all get along. It’s a loving and safe environment.”

Her parents, she said, are a huge part of that balance. Even in a busy household of five, they still make an effort to be present in her life. 

“My dad works a lot, but he always makes time to check on everyone before he relaxes,” she said. “My mom is in school to be a teacher and she recently started working media and photography for my old club, but she still makes time to talk to us when we need it.”

That mix of love, structure, and support helped shape Seaward’s leadership on and off the court.

“My dad always tells me, ‘You’re the oldest,’ so I need to set an example,” she said. “I never saw that as a bad thing. I’d want someone to look up to if I were younger.”

Although, when she’s not leading or team or setting records, Seaward finds balance through her hobbies, ones that have nothing to do with volleyball. 

“I love playing Fortnite. I don’t care what people say, I’m always going to play Fortnite,” she said. “I also love reading and writing,poetry and prose. Reading and writing are my escape from volleyball.”

Expanding on her love for sports and writing, she gets to combine the two in her current sport marketing class. She hopes to pursue a career in sports journalism. 

“I think ever since I really started liking watching sports,” she said “I’ve always watched basketball and then moved over to volleyball. I’d talk to myself while watching games on TV and think, ‘This would be a cool career—talking about or writing about sports.’”

Even her family has noticed her dedication to it.

“My mom will walk in and ask who I’m talking to, and I’m like, ‘Myself, what do you mean?” Seaward said, laughing. “When I watch games, I’ll talk like I’m a commentator or reporter, and my parents think I’m on the phone.”

It’s something she doesn’t just dream about,she practices it. 

“I love practicing stuff like that because it’ll help me in the future, developing that ‘reporter voice’ and getting a head start.”

Seaward’s legacy is beyond her record. Her story isn’t just about volleyball, it’s about growth, responsibility, and the kind of humility to keep her grounded. “I want people to remember me as someone humble, kind, and welcoming,not just as someone who made history,” she said. “I don’t go around talking about my accomplishments; I let people find out on their own.”

For Seaward, kindness means more than recognition, it’s about the impact it leaves behind. Wanting to be remembered for all the right reasons. 

“I want classmates to remember that they could always come to me for advice or support,” she said. “I want teachers to remember me as a helpful student. Volleyball ends someday, but kindness lasts.”

Even until the end of the season died down, Seaword’s focus remained constant: play hard, stay humble, and keep priorities straight. She may hold a record for the most blocks in Plano Senior history, but that certainly isn’t what she’s the most proud of. 

“Hearing people describe me as kind now tells me I’m on the right track,” she said. “That’s how I want to be remembered.”

In turn, Seaward’s athletic accomplishments narrow down into something more personal,her motivations, her family, and her faith all help her to keep up her drive with empathy. She practices a good balance between performance and personality. She’s competitive, yes. But she’s also intentional, compassionate, and a hard worker. 

The game may be measured in blocks and kills, but for Seaward the true scoreboard lies within her heart, the relationships she’s built, the siblings that look up to her, and the faith that guides her. 

She doesn’t see herself as a legend, just a team player trying to get things done the right way, and she truly followed through. 

For a captain with many accomplishments under her belt, who’s led her teammates, and led by example, Djay Seaward’s story isn’t just about volleyball or sports. It’s about staying grounded in what matters most— faith, family, and kindness.

And that’s a record worth keeping.