Working Tough to Make It to the Top
By: Juliana Segura
GAITHERSBURG, MD- Volleyball is a sport of cardio, balance, flexibility and hand/eye coordination; the Quince Orchard High School girls volleyball team is working hard to become a stronger team. The team is preparing to do major conditioning skills to stay in shape as well as playing on a summer league team to stay focus throughout summer. With six players leaving from last season, the current seniors, as well as the other varsity players will have many shoes to fill and expectations to meet. Having a rough season last year, the girls are willing to practice extra hard to have a strong and winning upcoming season.
To overcome the loss of games last season, the girls play every Wednesday from June 2nd-July 21st at the Champion Field House against other high school teams that they might face in the regular season. Summer games are practices for the regular season. If a mistake is made in a game, the girls take the mistake and learn from it for future games.
The key to a successful volleyball game is attitude and determination. The girls rarely let mistakes get to them in games. With a clear head you will have a stronger game. On and off the court the girls show 110% in order to start off with a strong season. The girls work out during the summer in order to build a solid team. In order to better her skills for the upcoming season, rising sophomore Hailey Kessler shares, "I'm going to go to some volleyball camp and improve my technique and skills." Other girls take it farther and go to sleepaway camps in order to better their playing.
Quince Orchard's coaches gave the girls a workout sheet to complete in order to stay in shape and get ready for the upcoming tryouts. In this workout there are four components to ensure a well rounded conditioning routine: flexibility (stretching), circuit training, conditioning/agility and skill work. Coach Stacy Bureau is always making sure the girls stay in shape. Not only is volleyball a physical sport but its also a mental, endurance and can be an emotional game. Having a healthy body in the game is important because there is many movement involved inlcuding diving which can be dangerous if you don't dive the correct way. "One of my main focuses to improve on is diving for the ball" says rising sophomore Deborah Lee.
The girls are not only focusing on conditioning, but are also willing to practice "becoming a better united team and improve on communication" says rising junior Maggie McCaughey.
Teamwork in volleyball is a essential concept. If players work well with teammates, and show leadership it strengthens the team. Ready to take on the challenge as a rising senior, Tia Mancuso shares, "being a positive influence and a good role model to the others is what I plan to do." This will help the underclassmen feel more confident about their skills. Tia is "definitely" ready for the challenge.
The team knows how important it is to prepare for the upcoming season; but before preparation, comes determination. Many players particpate in the summer league team, including rising sophomore Morgan Savell. "The summer league team means a lot to me, it shows who is a team player and who is dedicated," explains Savell. Being a part of the summer league is a great way to be involved in? It keeps you in shape and keeps your mind focused on volleyball throughout the summer.
Coach Bureau has high expectations for the girls this year. She says, "I expect a division championship game this year. We have the skills and hopefully we have the fight and desire to match it." Each and every single one of these players is willing to show that they are ready for anything to come their way. "We are going to work hard during pre-season, and I have scheduled us to play some tough matches to get us ready for playoffs this year" say Coach Bureau. The girls are ready to overcome the challenges that will be faced in the upcoming season.
