By: Advika Anand
Opinion Editor
LGHS Girls’ Volleyball is starting off the season by building teamwork, dedication, and technique. After having a successful season last year, the girls are gearing up for the season ahead, setting high expectations for themselves in order to achieve their goals.
Team captains and seniors Sienna McGrath, Britt Melinauskas, and junior Caylin Thomas have been working tirelessly to ensure that the team has solid chemistry and collaboration throughout practices and games. McGrath described her experience as a captain, stating, “My favorite part about being a captain is having a larger role in building up the team’s chemistry…I think it’s easy to talk to everyone, and if there are ever problems, they can get addressed pretty easily.” Additionally, junior Thomas has a similar mindset to her fellow captains as she finds that the most significant element is “being able to be there for my team and being someone that people can rely on.” Throughout the season, the three captains aim to foster a communicative and tight-knit environment with a positive amount of competition.
The Wildcats began their season with a tough game against Harbor High School, which they unfortunately lost during the final set. However, the players did not let this loss discourage them and instantly bounced back with three consecutive wins against Half Moon Bay, Summit Shasta, and Westmont High Schools during the Half Moon Bay Tournament on Aug. 29. The girls won each of their matches 2-0 and the entire tournament as well. Junior Emma Jin reflected on this monumental win: “Our team chemistry makes a huge difference during competitive games. We’re very communicative on and off the court.”
Along with the returning players, the team also added several younger players to the roster, including freshmen Reese Bill and Parker Lyles. As a first-year player on the team, Bill especially looks up to the older girls on the team who remind her not to take volleyball too seriously and not to let her mistakes define her. Sophomore Stella Kanter returns for her second year on varsity as an outside hitter. Kanter desires to become a valuable contributor to the team, noting, “As you get older on the team, your role gets bigger and more is expected of you, so I have been working on that.”
The Wildcats’ upcoming league schedule includes matchups against Monta Vista, Milpitas, Homestead, Cupertino, Wilcox, Los Altos and Palo Alto High Schools. Their first home league match was scheduled for Sept. 17 against Milpitas.
The Wildcats are using their previous experience to strengthen their performance this year. The team has already developed a familiarity with each other’s playing styles, making communication and coordination on the court more natural. As the season progresses, LGHS Girls’ Volleyball hopes to build on their harmony and utilize the lessons from last year to remain competitive during challenging matches.
(Source: MaxPreps)