History was made not only once, but twice last year. In a sport that is barely supported, thought as easy, and believed to have no complexity in becoming a good player.
The varsity team has numerous strong and dedicated athletes that contributed to the first to the first ever CCC finish. Along side this was a Triple Crown achievement, all three level teams took first place in the conference. As the small amount of dedicated parents and coaches traveled to games and tournaments last year, little did they know they were creating and motivating a team that would be feared the following season.
As preseason games began, each and every girl in the program sizzled, with anticipation to step on the court. Armed with the knowledge that they had a duty to fulfill, greed to reclaim the title, and motivation that was driven up the walls, they fought hard every game. Although each team won and lost matches, the losses only helped the teams improve. Finishing fifth out of thirty- six teams in their first tournament of the season; they saw the potential they had and used it to raise their goals for the season.
With the second round of the season almost complete, each team has nine wins and no losses. The varsity team has twelve girls that compete for positions every single day, they are extremely close in skill and ability level and each person is counted on to help contribute the team.
Each day the team pushes themselves during tough conditioning circuits, so as to assure that their body’s performance can outlast their opponents if they go into a five game match. Volleyball is sometimes thought of as an easy feminine sport, which is simple to learn and play. It is assumed that they walk into the gym with high pony tails, make up on, and short shorts and barely move. It is exactly the opposite. Their hair is slicked back, make up comes off, and they leave the gym drenched in sweat. Teams take everything serious; they join together, and push each other to be the best. The hardest criticism comes from within them self because they know they can dominate, and do not want to taste failure if they can prevent it.
With many strong junior varsity players moving up to varsity this year, it was quite unsure as to how the new team would perform. They have had no lapses this season; still maintaining a first place spot and it is with high hopes not falter and continue this accomplishment.
The Pride welcomed a new coach this year, Tanya Gimperlie, and she has shown the school and conference only positive things about herself and coaching techniques. With thirteen games left in the season, they have plenty of room to see that on any given day any team can win; giving them more incentive to never give up.
The friendship on the freshmen team is exceptional. From the moment the bell rings for sixth period to the moment that practice gets out, you hear the muffled giggles, high pitched laughs, and feel the excitement each girl brings to the court. All twelve girls mingle and help each other in ways that one could not imagine. With no matters bringing them down, it is quite obvious that they are in the gym to solely improve themselves as players, and help the teammates around them.
Lauren Charles, a newly hired coach, has transformed the team immensely. The first day of practice, innumerous amounts of green and white balls flew around the gyms, earning annoyed looks from the varsity teams, and quick dashes to stop balls from going past their court lines so the upper-classman won’t hold grudges if anyone was to get hurt. Two short months later, the team is dominating in games, moving faster from conditioning, and showing their confidence on the court when practicing Cs, a type of middle hit, and strong swings from the outside hitters. They are no longer inexperienced, and are progressing in abundant amounts each and every day.
Another Triple Crown is within the sights of the Pitman Volleyball Program, if they can hold strong to their goals made and never give up. Even when the score has a vast gap between the opposing team and theirs, they must play to their best abilities. With all the potential in the program, the only way they can strive to be their best is to be shown support. To have a full and talkative gym, cheering every point and giving support when the team is down, is the key to helping the volleyball program make history once again. Every Tuesday and Thursday, it is with high hopes that there will be a packed gym and three winning team leaving with smiles on their faces, knowing they competed to the best of their abilities.