Girls Varsity Volleyball: Hopes To Serve Up Districts This Year

Photo Credit: DANIELLE ONAFRAYCHUK

BY DANIELLE ONAFRAYCHUK

The girls pass the ball over to Mayaangelou Carter and she spikes it over the net getting them yet another point. Chanting can be heard all around the gym and the team huddles real quick to congratulate Maya before splitting and getting back in their positions, ready for whatever gets thrown in their path.

The Cooper City girls Varsity volleyball team holds high expectations for the new season.  With many valuable players, they have nowhere to go but up and that`s exactly what they intend to do. The goal this year is to make it to districts, and the Cowboys are stopping at nothing to achieve this.

The team’s record last year was 7-13 and they hope for a different outcome this season, with more wins instead of losses. The team does the same drills as before, making it consistent and allowing the team to grow in their strengths and work on possible weaknesses such as communicating with each other and executing plays right. The only difference is the change in personnel. Seniors Chezney Stevens, Amanda Pelaez, Mayaangelou Carter and Heather Lockwood have stepped up and intend to guide the newer players to become stronger and grow together.

“It`s my first year on Varsity and I already feel as if we`re a family. It`s been a life changing experience and I`m loving every second of it,” sophomore Sarah Gannon said.

Even in the first half of this season, you can see a desire and passion that most other teams lack. The team practices every day from 3:30-5:30 and works on many skills that come in handy for the games.  At practices they condition, work on perfecting serves, hitting lines, passing drills and scrimmage against one another as well as playing fun games every once in awhile for camaraderie. They have created special plays such as “Heather it out”, where if they are in danger during a play they pass it to senior Heather Lockwood and she will pass it over the net.

“The competition is tougher this year but we work hard everyday to try to improve our skills,” senior setter Amanda Pelaez said.

To many of the girls, volleyball has become an important part of their life. Although it is very time consuming, it has become a home to these girls and they support each other every step of the way.

“This year we have come together as a team and get stronger and stronger each game,” sophomore Kaylie Stevens said.

Volleyball is a very important aspect of each of these ladies lives and they will stop at nothing to be on the top. With the amount of time and effort the team is placing into this season, it will be a successful year. They have the heart, they have the skills and they`ve had the practice to win. Let`s go Lady Cowboys!