By Helaina Cozza

After getting off to a rough start, the girls volleyball team is looking for a strong finish.  The team initially had a goal of winning the section, but that was no longer possible after getting off to a 1-7 start.

“Making it to playoffs and winning is now our one focus,” senior Sarah Dindak said.

The team is hoping to show all its hard work by making it past the second round of playoffs, which has not been done in recent years.

 “Our team has never been a second-round team and this year we want to finally prove it,” Dindak said. The team wants to build up consistency this year, as it has been a problem. 

They are a hardworking team, although it may not be reflected by their record, Coach Adam Foote said.  Foote describes the team as “a very dedicated group of girls.” 

Concerning the team’s opponents, Foote said that all the teams are extremely competitive.  He said they all pose a big challenge and that none are easy to play.

One goal has been to replicate in games the successes they have had in scrimmages.

“When we’re really on and work as a team and everyone does their job, we are unstoppable,” said Paige Thompson, a junior on the team, describing their scrimmages during practice.  The team’s problem has been translating this to game situations, she said.

They need to not give up if something bad happens in the game, Thompson said.

“We need to fight all the way to the end,” she said.

The team is looking to change this season around despite the rough start.  Their practices have been run differently recently, and the lineup and positions are changing in an effort to find success.

In addition, the team’s captains are trying to keep positive attitudes.  They are trying to remind the team that whatever what happens during the games, they do it as a team.

“Work like a team, play like a team, win as a team,” is one of the team’s mottos this year.  The team members said that it is very important for them all to work together.

The sport helps these girls to build a strong bond. 

Foote said that volleyball is “a game you can play forever,” and that the girls can become close with each other. 

“My favorite part about being on this team is obviously playing the sport I love with my best friends,” Dindak said.  “I have been with most of these girls for years now and we have grown so close.”