The Aurora volleyball is killing it this season!
Throughout the last 57 years every sport has gotten a number on the banner. All except, volleyball. There is no doubt that there have been extremely talented athletes who have been close to accomplishing this common goal. However, it wasn’t until this year’s varsity team made this happen, a team that consists of 7 seniors, 1 junior, and 1 sophomore. This team has faced difficult challenges as they have been given a new coaching staff this year and had doubtful fans. Although, this didn’t stop them wanting it, craving it, winning it.
The seniors are proud and excited to make history. Senior captain, Ava McGovern, mentions the past years and how there were good senior classes that came so close to getting it and it hurt to see them not get what they were striving for; therefore, it's a very rewarding, fulfilling, “pretty awesome” experience. Coming from senior captain Brooke Gecina, she talks about what a good feeling it is after putting an insane amount of effort into it for the past years. Lasly, McKennah Metzger is very happy to be a part of the ride: ”Really cool I get to be a part of history.“ She also cracks a few jokes, “[We] [d]on’t know how to lose the conference.”
The new coaching staff has been a hit with the players. Ava states how “the new coaching staff cares about us mentally and physically.” This coincides with the Aurora volleyball motto, “culture first.” Because of their love and support for us it helped us mentally and physically strive to win. Similarly, Brooke feels that this new staff is really beneficial, they're focused on improving the program and they're doing so by creating a strong support system. Next up, McKennah’s appreciative of the coaches’ constant support: “They care a lot about us as humans rather than athletes which helps start a flow and how we play.”
Throughout the seasons, players feel that the program has changed for the better. To begin, Ava talks about how “in the beginning of the season there was a lot of uncertainty with positions and what the coaches’ visions were compared to ours. During the middle of the season, the varsity had a talk with the coaches about communicating more and as we can see, it’s obviously made a change. This conversation helped with more stability.” Simalarly, Brooke feels that we have come together more: “The chemistry has been here but now it really clicked.” Lastly, Mckennah said that “in the beginning of the season we kinda came in expecting to lose but then we came to the realization that we had so much potential and stayed positive.”
These 3 seniors are all sad as their time is coming to an end but still have lots to share. To start, Ava loves going to practice to see everyone that she cares about. After having the same way of life for multiple years its hard to come to terms that she wont see everyone everyday anymore,“bascally really sad” Although, it hasnt really hit her fully yet. She makes it a point to make sure everyone knows how proud of everyone she is. She simply just doesnt want it to end. She loves everyone. Secondly, Brooke talks about how sad it is for it to be done but what a proud and rewarding feeling that she got to play with these girls which she will keep forever. Like the rest, McKennah says how its really sad. She mentions how this is probably one her most fun seasons ever, which is very honorable since she is a multi-sport athlete. We had a really had a great year that we can be very proud of. We get to walk away knowing we made history. Overall, they all feel that this season is something to be proud of to walk away with.
These seniors hope that the younger players will take what they have to say into consideration. Ava hopes that all the younger athletes cherish every moment, it goes by faster than you think, “Senior night doesn't feel real”. When playing don't dwell on mistakes because there is a lot to be proud of. As well as Mckennah says to enjoy every moment, small points are everything, and enjoy the games even if they don't seem like a big deal. Moreover, Brooke shares that it's important to be there for each other. You never know what's gonna happen. Be there. Hard work truly does pay off, keep playing the sport you love with the people you love.
After taking some time off, McKennahs shares a little bit of a different view as she had come back to return as a senior after not playing a couple years. In the begining she was excited yet nervous. She didn’t know if she’d do good after not playing in 3 years. But Mckennah realized this is where she should be here for her senior year and she could not be more grateful for this opportunity.
Being captains on a team is a really big honor, we can see this is as Brooke talks about really rearding seeing everyone grow and how grateful she is she got the opportunity to be a leader for such a good team. To end off, Ava is grateful to be the person that people felt they could come to especially on a team like this.
Something else Ava would like to share is the importance of her best friend who is unfortunately a junior who she will have to leave behind, “I love Lana Witmer”. As well as with her love for this team, “I’m proud of everyone and I'm grateful to be on the team.”
