MASSILLON, Ohio — Whether it’s volleyball, basketball or track and field, Jackson’s Leena Patibandla is usually winning. It’s not uncommon for high school athletes to play multiple sports, but succeeding in every one of them is less common. That’s just what Patibandla is doing, however. So much so that she was named the Stark County Female Athlete of the Year for the 2020-21 sports season. As a sophomore!

Patibandla is a junior this year and she’s looking to repeat the honor. At this point of her career, it’s hard to say what her best sport will be, but for right now it’s volleyball. Patibandla is an outside hitter who helped the Jackson Polar Bears win a Federal League district championship and regional finals berth.

She’s a two-time All Federal League, All Stark County League, and All District IV award winner. With two years left in high school, there’s a chance she could win these awards all four years of her high school career. It comes as no surprise that she’s listed as one of the Stark County top 12 volleyball players to watch in 2021.

Patibandla is no slouch on the basketball court either. In fact, some might argue that she’s a better basketball player than she is a volleyball player. At 6-foot and capable of handling the ball with the best of them, she presents a matchup nightmare for opponents. She’s one of the top rebounders in the county, but even more impressive, she plays the point guard position.

As a sophomore point guard for the Polar Bears, she was fourth overall in all of Stark County in the assists column. Not bad for a sophomore who’s also a top-notch rebounder. Patibandla’s accomplishments aren’t just on offense, however, as she’s one of Jackson’s top defenders. Typically, guards oppose offensive threats.

Patibandla’s newest sport is track and field. She’s an incredible athlete so why not play sports year-round? She competes for the Polar Bears in high jump, long jump and discus. As a sophomore, she won Federal League titles in high jump and discus throw and placed fourth in long jump.

Her performance at the league level was impressive enough that she earned an invitation to the Division I state track and field meet. She went on to earn All-Ohio honors in high jump and discus thrown after placing second in both events at the regional level. She also won district titles in both events.

I’d like to remind everyone that Patibandla is only in her junior season and has one-and-a-half years left in volleyball, two years left in basketball and two years left in track and field. She’s off to an incredible start in high school, and there are bright things in her future.

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