The year 9 student at Haileybury College's Keysborough campus has been selected to represent Victoria in the under-16 Australian volleyball championships in Canberra in August.

After taking up the sport in December 2008, Howes quickly showed his prowess at the net and now plays for the school's firsts with the senior students, training for three hours every Sunday.

He impressed the state selectors with his performance during a volleyball tournament at Ballarat the weekend before last, so they slotted him into the state under-16s.

Tall, lanky and raw but athletic and still growing out of his clothes and shoes, Howes likes playing closer to the net, delivering devastating spikes rather than defensive and tactical lobs.

With that long, raking reach, not much gets past him at the net.

"I like to have a hit," he says with a grin.

And, not surprisingly, Howes plays basketball for Sandringham Sabres, club football for East Sandringham Junior Football Club and interleague footy with the Sandringham Dragons in the Moorabbin Saints Junior Football League.

Hand him a ball and he's smiling.

Older brother Mitchell, a year 11 student at Haileybury, also plays for the Dragons and the school's team.

Howes' ambitions are to eventually play AFL or in the highest level of volleyball and would like to have a career in the sporting field.

■ If you excel in a sport, have a passion for what you do, or know someone with these qualities, let us know by calling 8667 4785 or, log on to communitysportsst ar.com.au to submit a nomination.