Lauren Avenatti is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Phoenix Country Day School for AZPreps365.com.

PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. – All eyes are on Phoenix Country Day School’s Quincy Rodin, both on and off the volleyball court.

Rodin is not only the team captain for the girls’ varsity volleyball team, leading the team in kills and digs this year, but is also the daughter of the headmaster of PCDS, Andrew Rodin.

“It’s definitely all eyes on me a lot, but once people actually get to know me, they don’t really think ‘oh, that’s the principal’s daughter, don’t talk to her’,” Quincy said.

Students at the school said that once they get over that initial shock, the headmaster’s children are just seen as everyday students.

“All of Mr. Rodin’s kids were seen as equals in the school. You wouldn’t have known they were the headmaster’s children if no one told you,” Phoenix Country Day alumna Bella de Roos said.

Quincy said that her dad’s position as headmaster doesn’t affect her relationship with him. 

“To me, he’s just Dad. We make fun of each other so much. We’re always messing with each other. He’ll always be just Dad. It’s funny though, when he goes up on stage, we don’t really acknowledge each other. He never really comes to the upper school because he wants me to have my own space,” Quincy said.

Both of Quincy’s brothers, Jake and Ty, now 22, also went to Phoenix Country Day School. Her mom, Lydia, is also employed by the school.

“It’s hard because my mom works here too, and my brothers went here as well. So, seeing my whole family all the time, I wasn’t really able to get a break from them. But, in the end, it’s really amazing being here with them,” Quincy said.

Quincy also wanted to set the record straight: there’s absolutely no favoritism involved. 

“Having my dad as the head, everyone’s asking me if I get special things, special treatment. My Dad and Mom raised me to work for everything that we get. Our saying is ‘work hard, play hard.’ That’s something we really believe in,” Quincy said.

Phoenix Country Day Athletic Director Shane Lewis emphasized the hard work that Quincy puts into volleyball and the leadership that she displays on the court.

“Quincy has turned into a heck of a player. She has put so much time into her craft and making herself a better athlete. Fun to watch as she is becoming one of the best players in the conference. More importantly, she is a better person and a great teammate to her team. She has become their leader on and off the court and it’s nice to watch her grow,” Lewis said.

Quincy prides herself on being a natural-born leader and banding her team together to find success.

“I really believe in a team environment, so working together and as a team is the biggest thing for me. If we don’t work together, we can’t get anything done. It’s a huge part of what makes a team,” Quincy said.