Volleyball is a competitive sport where every serve, spike, and save is a thrilling test of agility and teamwork. As the new season progresses, our volleyball teams are pushing their limits, overcoming challenges, and aiming for greatness.
According to Coach Katy Melvey, the season has been a journey of growth despite significant challenges, “The season is going well, our athletes have been working hard and playing against tough teams.” The lack of a dedicated gym and frequent travel have been an obstacle.
Nghi Nguyen, a senior and right-side defensive specialist, shares, “The girls have been working extra hard. My biggest obstacle is getting the team to keep up their energy and stay motivated during games,” said Nghi Nguyen. For Nghi Nguyen, the thrill of scoring points together with the team is what makes volleyball so rewarding. “I really like this sport, especially because it’s a team sport. It’s an overall good feeling when you score points together” she added.
Communication is really important in volleyball, and it’s something Ariana Bager , junior setter, is working on. “My biggest obstacle is communication between teammates,” she said. Arianna Barger points out that good communication is key for setting up plays and making sure everyone works well together. “Alyssa usually is a backup libero or she plays in the back row/all around she’s very hard working. Honestly we have a very good connection on court so she does her job and I do mine but like it’s in sync,” she added showing how much support and teamwork matters.
Jasmine Smith , a junior varsity setter, also values the supportive nature of her team, “I love how everyone is so nice and supportive of each other,” she mentioned. Despite the occasional distractions from schoolwork and mistakes on court, Jasmine remains committed to doing her best and improving her skills.
Every sport season brings its own set of obstacles, and volleyball is no exception. Whether it’s dealing with difficult conditions or personal struggles, players must find ways to adapt and push through. Here’s how some of our athletes are tackling their own unique challenges and continuing to strive for success.
Sophia Vanlenzuela, a sophomore Libero, a defense from back row, also faces challenges but finds ways to cope with, “The main obstacle I have is keeping up with a positive mindset and fixing our mistakes on the court,” She explained. Despite these challenges, Sophia values the growth and improvement she sees in her team and is focused on enhancing her own skills like serving.
“I would recommend this sport because it is very fun to play and builds your ability to work with others, build skills, and allows you to mentally challenge yourself.” says Sophia. Volleyball creates a bond between people and helps students come out of their comfort zone and allows you to work on yourself.