Girls’ volleyball rallies up for the 2024 season
As the volleyball season begins, the anticipation builds. Claps and cheers echo through the gym as friends and family fill the stands. The Newbury Park High School (NPHS) varsity girls’ volleyball team kicked off their 2024 season on Sept. 10 against Agoura HS.
The team’s preseason record was 11-5 after getting first place at a volleyball tournament in Morro Bay. The team looks to carry their preseason successes into their regular season over the next several weeks.
Sophomore and setter on the team, Keira Overbeck, has many goals this year, including coming to practice with intensity to prepare the team for games. She is working on staying positive and focusing specifically on what her coaches have been telling her to improve. “My coach always tells me to stay strong and he tells us to have a mindset that we cannot be beat, we will not be beat,” Overbeck said. Overbeck consistently works hard in practice to develop as a player and achieve success this season.
Kylie Beilke, junior, is ready for her third year playing volleyball at NPHS in her position as a libero. Beilke is prepared to start the season with her team and has faith in what kind of success they can achieve this year. “I believe we can go far if we put in the work,” Beilke said. After lots of practice and hard work, Beilke anticipates seeing the scores improve this season.
Staying optimistic has frequently proved to lead teams to victories. Despite losing to Oaks Christian three to zero on Sept. 12, the team kept a bright outlook and practiced specific plays and drills to prepare them for their next game. “Losing is a tough concept but also a big learning experience. The biggest thing I learn from a loss is how to change myself for the next game,” Overbeck said.
The continuous positivity is only one of the best parts of playing volleyball at Newbury Park. Beilke believes that being a part of the volleyball program at NPHS can be a very rewarding experience. “I love the atmosphere while playing volleyball and all the girls I get to play with. I truly love the sport because I get to do what I love while having fun,” Beilke said.
Overbeck also enjoys the atmosphere and feels that her teammates are one of the best parts of playing volleyball at NPHS. “My favorite part about being able to play volleyball at Newbury Park is all the energy the program has and the cheering for every team,” Overbeck said. “I’ve learned that energy is contagious, no matter if you’re happy or sad.”
The girls’ indoor head coach and beach volleyball coach, Christopher Forrest, also prepares the team for the season by keeping everyone positive and practicing the skills the team has not mastered yet. “We are continuing to practice, to prepare ourselves for games,” Forrest said.
The NPHS girls’ volleyball team’s adrenaline is high, and they feel more prepared than ever to do what it takes to be victorious this season. “I love my teammates and we’ve worked hard in practices and pre-season, to prepare us for this season,” Overbeck said.
