Westminster’s Henley Tippins runs on confidence
ATLANTA (BVM) — “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” This quote comes from the great Michael Jordan, one of the best athletes the world has ever seen. Confidence is key, and the best of the best understand that. Perhaps this has played a role in the development of Henley Tippins, now the Georgia Gatorade Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
“To be completely honest with you, I feel like I’ve always, on most fields I’ve been on, I’ve had a passion for it that I don’t want to say set me apart, but in terms of creativity on the field, I’ve just always been really gifted, really blessed.” Tippins said.
Knowing her worth on the soccer field has led to some big numbers thus far throughout her prep career. In her junior season, Tippins netted 31 goals, moving her career tally to 49. She had four hat tricks and nine multi-goal games, leaving opposing teams scratching their heads when looking for an answer. She willed her team to a perfect 21-0 record, winning the Class AAA state championship.
Tippins’ confidence in herself, though, also poured over into her teammates. With a talent overload, the Westminster Wildcats knew that they could win it all. It took a collective effort to make sure they kept their heads down and kept grinding.
“This year specifically we knew we had a very special group of girls,” Tippins said. “The coaches did a good job keeping us confident but very humble. There’s a certain danger that comes with having so much talent, and you get a huge target on your back. The coaches did a great job reminding us of that every single game.”
Where did Tippins confidence originate from, though? She credits her father, Clay. He was a Stanford University swimmer and three-time national champion in his four-year collegiate career. He went on to become a Navy Seal, which only the most tough, confident and determined people can endure.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with Henley. Her dad’s legacy has inspired her every step of the way. But of course, there were outside influences who played a role in her growth as well. Garvin Quamina, her club coach, is the guy who first took a chance on her and deserves a bulk of the credit.
“I was short for a while, a tiny 5-foot kid, 85 pounds soaking wet,” Henley said. “He saw me at a field and was like, ‘I want that kid.’ Now I’m 5-foot-9. He saw the potential the way I saw the field.”
That bud of potential blossomed into one of the country’s best young forwards, and though she still has her senior season yet to be played, she has decided that her future will take place at Georgetown University. The Hoyas were 12-0-2 in their 2020 season, being eliminated from the NCAA Tournament in the Round of 16 by way of penalty kicks.
Yes, they are a successful program, which played a factor in Henley’s decision, but there were other criteria to be met. Luckily for Georgetown, they met every one of those. They match the academic rigor she is looking for, they have a beautiful campus, they have a national championship-worthy team, but above all else, they have coach Dave Nolan.
“I’ve been so blessed to have amazing coaches as long as I can remember, and I didn’t want college to be an exception to that,’ Henley said. “I have an outgoing and strong personality so I wanted someone who could match that but has a certain intensity about them. Coach Nolan met every single bit of that criteria. I absolutely love him as a coach.”
With a college now chosen, a state championship under her belt and the Gatorade Player of the Year award, there isn’t much more left for Henley at the prep level. Having achieved ultimately everything you can as an individual and with her team, she’ll now focus on enjoying her senior season.
“I think this year we achieved everything you can really achieve on paper, which is truly a testament to the culture and the girls, the talent,” Henley said. “I think the only thing you can do to better that is keep the same results on paper and make it that much closer-knit a group of girls. Make sure we can do that again but take in the whole experience.”
