ALBANY, N.Y. — When Hailey Van Lith decided to transfer from Louisville to LSU, she had no doubt in her mind. She had spent time with the decision and knew it was the best choice for her.
But when her intent to transfer became public, pushback from the people close to her made her question that choice.
“The reactions that they were having publicly and putting on the internet — they were being very vocal about how they felt negatively about what I was doing,” Van Lith told The Next. “It really tore me down. I was really starting to second guess. And that decision was a decision I made. I prayed on it. It was what I needed to do. God told me to enter the transfer portal.
“So the fact that I was second guessing that because of what other people were saying, I was like, ‘Hailey, why isn’t what you feel ever enough for yourself?’”
That realization sparked a change. Not a change on the court, but one in her mind. She wouldn’t let the opinions of others outvalue her own. Not again, not ever.
Typically, when she’d see lists like the top 25 impact players in the Sweet 16, she would stress about each player who was named above her. That girl is still inside her, the one who stresses about how the world views her, but she’s since gotten off of social media to mitigate those anxieties.
Now, she’s only focused on how she views herself.
“They’re not out there helping you make shots,” Van Lith said. “And they aren’t out there when the game is on the line and I have to make the decisions.”
The help of a sports psychologist has changed everything for Van Lith. From her mentality off the court to her interactions with referees during games, it’s been a complete mindset shift. She’s handled officiating this season much better than she ever has, realizing that her past habits of becoming consumed with each call hurt more than helped her.
“It’s just self awareness,” Van Lith noted. “It’s knowing myself best and knowing what Hailey needs to do to get Hailey to play the best.”
Separating herself from the outside voices has been no easy feat, but it was necessary. Controlling her emotions enabled her to control her play and enjoy the little moments a whole lot more.
“The mental side of the game is so undervalued,” Van Lith said. “It’s so vulnerable that I’m very specific with people that I let into that part of my world.”
Related reading: Hailey Van Lith leans on self-confidence through LSU transition
Van Lith is a different player — and a different person — than she was just a year ago when she entered the transfer portal. The people who tore her down are no longer around. They’ve been replaced with new friends and teammates who support her on her journey.
“The one thing [the doubters] can’t argue with is that I know how to fend for Hailey and I know how to fight for Hailey,” Van Lith said. “And that’s going to help me get to the next level.”
