With Coach Jade, the Junior Varsity coach, the girls volleyball season has been a journey of finding their strengths and helping them improve with every practice. While the season has had some challenges, the team has shown that they are willing to grow and work no matter how hard it feels. The girls are always willing to support each other through the hard challenges they face.
The player on the Junior Varsity team with the best potential in my opinion is Addison Marcus. Addison is a sophomore who stands out for her athletic, competitive, and positive mindset. Her energy on the court inspires the younger teammates to become like her one day. Many believe that she could be one of the best volleyball players at Mission Viejo High School. Mia Li Cheng, a freshman on Junior Varsity, states, “She works hard in every drill, and inspires us to become as good as her.”
Practices are an important part of success and growth. Coach Jade makes the athletes train hard, but is most importantly considerate of the girls’ feelings. She pushes them to improve while also making the practices fun and hyping up the girls for their upcoming games. Considering their next game against their rival Tesoro next Thursday.
One of the biggest challenges the team has faced is being able to do a good pass. Passing is a very important component of volleyball due to the fact that it is what starts off the game. If the pass is not thrown well, it can affect the team’s score. Mia Li Cheng states, “This is the biggest challenge because it can affect our confidence and mindset throughout the game.” The girls are also taught to move past their mistakes and stay focused on what’s happening currently.
Even with having challenges, the team has definitely improved in their games. Specifically in the game they had this past week which was El Toro vs. Mission where Mission happily took the win! The girls don’t let losses bring them down because they can see how much stronger they can get each time they step foot on the court.
Another reason this team is special is due to the strong bond between the players. Volleyball is not only based on the skills but also the teamwork and friendships that come with it. Mia states that the players she has the best bond with are Sasha Conteras, Libby Manns, and Malia. As stated by Mia, they bring leadership and positivity to the group. Whether it is cheering from the sidelines, encouraging a teammate after a mistake, or playing well, these teammates help maintain a positive environment which everyone feels safe in.
The Mission Viejo High School girls volleyball team is not just working on becoming better athletes, but they are also working on building confidence, trust, and resilience with each other. With Addison Marcus showing incredible potential, Coach Jade’s positive training, and teammates like Mia, Malia, Sasha, and Libby keeping the energy high. The future looks bright for the girls volleyball team! Although the season still has a long way to go, one thing is for certain: the girls volleyball team will continue to flourish and grow stronger both on and off the court.
