On and off the court, experience shapes the varsity girls’ volleyball team.
There are two types of girls volleyball fans: those that adore the game and those that love the spandex. As a volleyball player, I’d have to say it‘s more exciting to see a ball smashed into an open spot on the court with players hopelessly diving after it. The best moments come from the intensity of competition, when two teams are locked in a race to 25 points, best three out of five.
Yet even in practice, good teams can turn up the heat and dive cross court to make the seemingly impossible play look like second nature. Five minutes of watching the energy and focus on the court says everything. The MVHS girls’ spirit is channeled through the upperclassmen, namely seniors Nicole Dao and Victoria Lee. Both players have the enthusiasm, confidence, and experience to lead the team. So when they were left sitting on the sidelines watching their team practice, something went missing. 
A general silence settled on the team as a whole, a thick blanket of lethargy that sapped the energy from the ten girls that were practicing. Seniors Audrey Lee and Angela Moe provided some spark to the team, but the team’s movements as a whole seemed scripted and unenthusiastic. Practice dragged on like no one wanted to be there. Leaving the gym that day left me with a lack of satisfaction, a hollow feeling that the team was just under-performing.
So going back was logical. With the return of Dao and Lee from their injuries, there was a subtle yet noticeable change. Even though having an intense volleyball practice was still the last thing on their minds, the team began to wake up and suddenly, vibrant personalities filled the gym. Chatter about the Welcome Back Dance put a smile on everyone’s face. This led to talking more on the court and a sense of calm confidence grasped and inspired the team. Though crushing hits by Victoria stole the show, her real contribution was a presence that said, “We know what to do, stay calm, we’ll be fine.” Dao’s loud personality grabbed the team and told them they could talk too, that they could point out things on the court to make the team work together better.
The girls volleyball team, like every other group is made up of people, hopefully all working towards a common goal. Their talent and energy need to be focused. No matter what level a team is at, there has to be a guiding force, reminding everyone that everything will turn out fine in the end. And so experience is key. The people we need for reassurance are those that can lead us to success, pointing us in the right direction. Just like the girls in spandex need a captain on the court, each of us needs an experienced leader in our lives.
