Volleyball keeps up intensity at every level of play

October 27, 2009 • Ashley Strommen  
Filed under High School, Sports

Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball team is on a hot-streak with a record of 8-2 and two first place tournament plaques. Varsity Girls Volleyball also has also been competitive record of  7 – 4, along with a first place at the Luther Prep Invite.

Junior Varsity has a higher record by average, but the skill of the teams, considering the level of play and talent on the team, is surprisingly similar.

“I think we are successful because we work together, play together as a team and work hard to get where we are,”  Freshman Varsity Volleyball Player Lauren Pfeifer said.

The coaching staff plays a key role in Varsity and Junior Varsity’s success.

Amy Spies took the position of head Varsity coach, and left JV without a coach.

David McKee, last seasons assistant JV coach, was promoted to JV coach for this years season.

“I think the main reason we are successful is because of our coach. He has taught us so much and made us become a better team,” Sophomore Melissa Stevenson said.

For warm ups every day JV and Varsity do stretching and then go into a drill. JV and Varsity have practice at the same time everyday except for Mondays, and either team will get out early if the coach feels that the team has practiced well enough to end practice early.

JV and Varsity tend to get along on and off of the court.

They hang out with each other on the off season, do camps together, and see each other in school.

On the court they are out there encouraging each other and helping a teammate if they do something wrong.

The  important aspect of both teams is that they are able to put their differences aside on the court and play to win.

“The varsity has been so successful because we have so many talented, competitive players. They are also a hard working group, “ Coach Amy Spies said.

Before a game JV will get together after school and go out to eat and do homework.

This helped relieve some of the pressures through the day, and prepared them for the upcoming match.

All of that helps JV to bond because they are interacting with each other out of practice and games so it makes a stronger bond on the court.

The Junior Varsity is a motivated team, with most of the game being a mental battle. They spend time focusing on the match at hand, rather than doing a cheer between points.

When the teams are told to hit to a certain spot, it’s hit there.

There’s no complicated thought

process about their approach or swing, they just do it.

“Whoever comes ready to play on a given night can win. Volleyball is twenty percent physical, eighty percent mental,”  JV Coach David Mckee said.

Varsity is a strong team on and off of the court.

Most of the players are in other sports together and have been in sports together for years so it helps with the chemistry on the court.

Varsity is considered an enthusiastic team. They cheer and yell and encourage each other.

“Varsity has a very talented team. They win because they are a team, not because we have the next Kerri Walsh who carries them the whole way,” said Coach David McKee.

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