There’s more to a team than their stats.

Our JV volleyball team and Coach Haley Weddle knows it takes a little more effort behind the spikes and passes to make a team work.

This year was Weddle’s first year of coaching the JV team and she found that encouraging her players can motivate them to win.

“I remind them of, you know, their strength and how hard they work and, you know, reassure them that we can do this, and they’re a good team and as long as they fight their hardest, they can achieve anything that they want,” Weddle said.

Every morning the players are at practice improving their skills, heightening morale and building intensity up before the next game.

To ensure that the girls have chemistry on and off the court, the team often goes out for bonding activities like wall climbing and team dinners.

Freshman Stephanie Halsey appreciates the effort that her teammates put towards becoming one unit even when there may be competition within the team.

“We always congratulate each other, and even though you’re competing for a spot on the team, you’re still cheering each other on,” Halsey said.

With lessons like learning how to get the ball over the net and communication, volleyball has proven to be helpful outside of the gym for some players.

Being in volleyball has taught freshman Jenna Ganus something she can apply before and after the games.

“Definitely to work together and when you do something, you finish it as a team,” Ganus said.

By the end of the volleyball season, with both wins and losses, Weddle values the players she had on her first season coaching.

“The JV girls were very athletic and talented and are going to be great assets to our activity program in the future.” Weddle said.