The volleyball flying back and forth over the net, as players race and read each other without a word. One may not notice at first glance how little shouting or chaos is going on. Just six girls on the court moving in sync, bouncing up in the air, stretching, lining up. Initially, you may think there’s not much going on on the court. But the way these girls move together, trusting each other, staying in sync, is what grabs your attention.
This team shares a connection; it’s not only because they wear the same color jersey, but it’s also because they move with the same heartbeat. Their love for this sport drives that. The Eisenhower girls’ varsity volleyball team is built on trust, leadership and is always ready to take on any opponent. Leadership is quiet; it shows, “As a captain, I lead by example and keep the team focused”, stated team captain Jasbeth M. She is a leader who stays composed, focused, and ready to guide her team.
The strong leadership of this team has shaped the team’s identity, creating an environment that builds unity, with so much support from the players’ friends and families. This connection they have doesn’t only run deep between the team, it runs through them, and to their supporters in the bleachers. With every play these girls run, constant cheering, whistling, clapping, and chanting drive the team with the motive to play harder in each set. The spirit radiates through the gym, each cheer echoing with pride. The spirit in the gym is the spark of motivation for the team during games. It fuels the players, and you can see it when the whole team comes together after the end of a play. The energy created grows louder in the gym; it speaks volumes for itself.
The motivation the team has runs through every practice, play, and game. The Eisenhower girls’ varsity volleyball team has strong chemistry with each other, on and off the court. You can tell the girls have a great relationship with each other based on the way they interact and play together. The constancy in their communication is sharp, whether it’s a hand signal or a head nod; the effort is there. Each player has an impact on the team’s success; every role from the players matters, and all moves are counted.
Each game is a reflection of the team’s effort, motivation, and skill that they give. Regardless of the score, the point, or the play, this team never backs down from obstacles. Their coach, Adam, constantly gives small pep talks before, after, and during breaks, helping the girls push through challenges they may face. Whether it’s a missed call, a losing streak, or bad play, the team doesn’t give up. An outstanding player, for example, No. 8 Valeria A., constantly hustles in every set she’s put in. She doesn’t hesitate to make any move, and constantly reacts quickly to any fast transitions during the game. Her dedication to the games sets an inspiring example to her team. When one player strives for success, it inspires all to pursue success.
Behind the scenes of it all are hours of practice in the gym. The varsity team heads to the gym after school, motivating the other levels on their team and preparing to lock in. Each player shows up every day ready to improve, as the coach challenges them to have a chance to get better for the next game. Team practices are filled with sweat, tiredness, conditioning, and effort. What the players drive in practices is what makes their connection-building a strong bond, as said, a team built on trust and leadership.
As the season goes on, the Eisenhower girls’ varsity volleyball team will continue to carry pride and purpose. Each practice, each game, will give the chance to these girls to continue growing, to compete, and represent who they play for. This team is built on trust, leadership, and amazing effort that sets who the team is. If it’s celebrating a win or learning a lesson from a loss, this team does it as one. The support from friends, families, and each other builds a legacy, not just a high school volleyball team.
