Club Showcase: Jr. Girls' Volleyball
Avery Glaude
After two seasons that were spiked with Covid, volleyball is back at LDHSS. With head coach, Mr. Snarr, leading these 14-16 year old players, the Jr. Girls Club is ready to bump-set-score!
How did this year’s Club come together?
The Grade 9 & 10 girls’ volleyball club consists of 35 players, and each year there are tryouts to make the team. There were no tryouts last year for the junior girls due to COVID-19, so this year when the chance for sports came back again, many hoped for the opportunity. Approximately 60 tried out for a spot in the club.
“The tryouts were definitely stressful, but fun as well,” says Rhea, a Raven who made the team.
Mr. Snarr has some standards for the players he selects for this team. “I want them to be athletic, good listeners, hard workers, and preferably tall.” This year’s players have these incredible attributes, and awesome teamwork as well.
Many and most of these players do outside activities and other sports as well. Some play volleyball outside of school, and some because it interests them, and love playing. Each and every one of them has her own pathway which has led them to this sport.
“My goal is to keep the girls playing, all 35 players, see the player development, and to help them become even better players,” says Mr. Snarr.
His ideas for this club started earlier this year. Every year he usually has a junior girls volleyball team and this year, he figured out how this was all going to work out.
What is a typical practice like?
“We do warmups, lines, running, lots of good stretching, lunges, and a game called pepper where you bump, set, tip, volley, pass, hit. After we do pepper, we hit and pass it back, and play a scrimmage as well,” explains Hannah, a grade 9 Raven.
It’s All About the Teamwork
Right when you walk through the gym door, you will notice that this club has incredible teamwork skills. All of these players support and care about each other a lot. They look out for each other, laugh together, give advice and really influence and inspire each other.
It is also obvious that Mr. Snarr really cares about the development of each and every player. He wants them to all succeed and pushes them to be their greatest.
For practices, he has everything planned, and explains the drills and his ideas.
You see that during the practices, the team works hard, they keep going and strive for greatness. Even if it feels like a long time doing a drill, or if they do not want to do it, they do not give up, and they have the motivation that leads them to succeed. They give their best shots, they laugh it off and have bright smiles on their faces, enjoying the time with their friends and teammates.
PLAYER QUOTES
When did you start volleyball and why?
“I started in Grade 4. My family played, there were volleyball tryouts and I was interested in the sport.” - Anastasiia, a grade 10 Raven
“ I was introduced in Grade 4 and I kept on playing since then and was on the team in grades 4, 5, and 6, and continued playing throughout my time at LDHSS and now.” - Jasmine, a grade 10 Raven
“My family. My cousins are really good and they inspired me. My really good Raven friends here motivate me as well.” - Lauren, a grade 9 Raven
“I wanted to play, and I was looking forward to joining the club.” - Bernice, a grade 9 Raven
What is your goal for this season?
“My goal is to get all of my serves over during a game.” - Isla, a grade 9 Raven
“My goal is to improve, and have fun playing!” - Charlotte, a grade 9 Raven
“My goal is to serve harder and further.” - Alisha, a grade 9 Raven
Favorite part of being in the club?
“Trying out all of the different positions and serving as well.” - Sonika Mk, a grade 9 Raven
“Communication among the players; how we all get along and bond.” - Aylin, a grade 9 Raven
“The teammates, and how supportive everyone is.” - Rama, a Raven
The amount of respect they have for each other is incredible. If you see this club, you will notice how much kindness they have for everyone.
1.. 2.. 3... GO RAVENS!!
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