Volleyball sets up for another season
After taking second place in league for the first time in 18 years, girls’ volleyball is making moves to build a lasting legacy for future panthers.
Chris Forrest, coach of the varsity girl’s volleyball team, has been impressed with the turnout from the team last year and anticipates another great season. “These girls want to try to continue that legacy…The seniors that are here, especially the returning seniors on varsity, they want to leave a legacy for the next group,” Forrest said.
Addison Benson, senior captain of the varsity team, has been looking forward to seeing everyone learn and grow as a team. “We started off very disconfigured and we’re starting to really build it as a team. We’re starting to bond a little more and we’re starting to get kind of a structure to our team and how we play,” Benson said.
With only four returning varsity players, the team has learned how to play with the newer members. “So the difference with this team is there’s a lot more girls that came up from JV. So there’s a lot more teaching that’s required and the four girls that are returning have really set a pretty good example of what the expectations are and how the team works,” Forrest said.
Even though they lost their game to Ventura, Faith Mineo, a senior setter, explained how they were able to learn and improve from the game to help set them up for success in the El Camino matches. “And then when we played Ventura it also went to five. But that game we lost because we didn’t get our energy back up. So that was what changed between the Ventura game and the El Camino game, as we actually were able to get our energy level back up and be more supportive,” Mineo said.
Team spirit and bonding is a huge factor of success on this team. “The team is amazing. Everyone on the team gets along. We all have come from different friend groups, most of us and all still manage to become closer through spending as much time together as we have,” Mineo said.
As for that legacy, Benson has some great advice for the younger players. “Working hard and grit, because that is what has gotten me to where I am. I know it’s really difficult sometimes to get up and go to practice, to go work out, but everything counts. Each touch, each play, counts and it’s your mindset that’s gonna get you to the best place you want to be,” Benson said.
