The Season
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| Homecoming 2018 |
The 2018 varsity volleyball season was a long and challenging one, filled with many fantastic and forever lasting memories and relationships. The preseason began in May and continued through July, until we eventually got to pour our hearts out on the court in August when the games began. The season then came to a close in October when we lost the Elite Eight we had fought so hard for. Although it was heartbreaking to end the season and watch the seniors leave, it was still another amazing and exemplary season.
Throughout The Years
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| Our last tournament of the 2017 volleyball season | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Homecoming 2016 |
Ever since eighth grade, I have been apart of the high school's Lady Trojans volleyball team. In eighth grade, I played on the ninth grade team as a middle and outside hitter and blocker. In ninth grade, I was my positions designated server. Then, in tenth grade, I was a right side hitter and blocker. Throughout the years, I continued my journey from a just beginning eighth grade player to a stronger and more confident tenth grade team member.
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| After winning our first game of the 2018 season |
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| 2017 volleyball season with Mikenli |
I had always loved my junior varsity coach, Coach Shirley, that I had learned from and talked to since being on the ninth grade volleyball team, and I have continued to become close to my varsity coach, Coach Austin, who has always appreciated and loved me. However, it wasn't until the end of my ninth grade season and during my tenth grade season that I actually accumulated strong friendships on and off the court. I became close to our talented setter, Sydney Lake, during our freshman year, to an amazing middle hitter, Mikenli Moreland, during my sophomore year, and to a fellow strong right side hitter, Shelley Camp, during our sophomore year.
Junior Year
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| Homecoming 2018 |
Junior year, however, led to an even newer position and journey. Since it was finally my year to enter the International Baccalaureate Programme and I knew how demanding being a volleyball player was, I decided I needed to talk to my coaches. At first, I was anxious and conflicted and didn't know if I was making the right call, but as soon as I showed up to the first day of tryouts and expressed my thoughts to Coach Austin, she completely understood.
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| Homecoming 2018 |
I told her my worries of not being able to commit to the busy schedule of the varsity team and how I was joining the rigorous IB Programme and how I was devastated that I wouldn't be able to be apart of the team I had known for so long. Then, I told her that I wouldn't want to disappear from volleyball altogether and still wanted to be apart of my favorite sport in some way. She comforted me and, although she was sad I wasn't going to be on the court contributing to the game, we decided I was going to contribute in a different and spectacular way.
The Transition From Player To Manager
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| On our way to the first game of the 2018 season |
My junior year was not spent as a hitter or a server, but as a varsity manager. I was then able to control what practices, games, tournaments, and events I could make, and was still able to play, warm up, and help in many incredible ways. At first, it was sad not getting to actually participate on the court, but it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
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| Homecoming 2018 with my mother |
Being a manager actually opened my eyes to all the work and contribution they do and bring to the team. Before, I had just assumed managers were there to just watch and cheer; they weren't really necessary. Then, I became one, and realized they do so much more. They support and encourage the team, they fill water bottles, they line judge, they keep score, they travel with the team, they help out with drills and at games, they make ice baths for the players, they libero track, etc. They do whatever they can to help the team thrive during the year, and, without managers, the volleyball team wouldn't be the same.
New Things
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| Homecoming 2018 with Sydney and Mikenli |
Because of my decision to become a manger, not only was I able to focus on school, but I was able to appreciate all that goes into building a powerful team. I am so happy that I got to spend my 2018 volleyball season doing what I love, while experiencing new things with amazing teammates and coaches, and I can't wait for my very last volleyball season next year!
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| Homecoming 2018 |
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