Through the Player’s Eyes: Wrapping Up on the Volleyball Courts

(Image by Dominic Legouellec)

Pictured Above, right leg of Noelle Ferreira holding a volleyball

As the regular volleyball season comes to a close, both players and coaches took a moment to reflect on how far they’ve come and what lies in the future.

(Image by Dominic Legouellec)

Pictured above is Kira Van Deusen (left) and Nicole Haywood (right), varsity captains

In varsity sophomore Milena Hunter’s eyes, preparation for each game begins off court: “I’ve been preparing for the upcoming game by reflecting on past mistakes and thinking about how we can beat this next team,” she explained, “[it’s more about] believing in ourselves mentally.”

Sam Stone, another sophomore on varsity, agreed, though she expressed her preparation in a more physical sense. “I prepare by eating a healthy meal to fuel my body and mind and listening to music,” she said, when asked what personal preparations she made before each game. “I [do] feel nervous as the game is starting, like when I first go in,” she admitted, “but once I keep playing, I just kind of try to chill out and breathe and realize it’s not that deep,”

Their methods seem to be working. Hunter affirmed that the team’s “progress and connection has grown so much throughout [the] year.” This progress has shown- the girls have had an outstanding season. She states that their “performance has been excellent.” In fact, varsity has held a 14-6 record this season, and junior varsity stands strong with a 13-3 record. “We’ve barely lost. We’re just, like, too good,” she jokes.

(Image by Dominic Legouellec)

Picture of Mary Kylander, Head Junior Varsity Coach 

Still, there is always room for improvement. “…our coach could be a bit more positive…team bonding could always be better,” Hunter adds, acknowledging potential shortcomings. 

Even so, junior varsity coach Mary Kylander (pictured above) echoed the girls’ sentiments. “I’ve had the pleasure of coaching 17 JV kids,” she said. “They’re outstanding young ladies, and they’ve really bought in to everything that we’ve been trying to build in the volleyball program,” 

With a win at regionals last Saturday on the 1st, the girls are ready to pull great performances in their tournament to hopefully end their final volleyball season with a victory. One thing is certain- the volleyball team never fails to keep a strong foundation and keeps pushing through.

Written by Riley Yu

Edited by Mathias Munoz Gonzalez, Harrison Davies, and William Zieger