The girls varsity volleyball team lost their first game on Aug. 21.

To prepare for the game senior Bri Whitener said “I went for a run.”

Junior Christa Lolley said she also has ways she prepares for games.

“I like to pack my bag and warm up then have a mental talk before a game,” Lolley said.

Junior Jessica Surovi said the girls enjoy getting pumped up before games.

“What pumps up the team for a game is to listen to music and jump around,” she said.

The girls varsity volleyball team is led by Coach Carrie Steele. She said one of the harder teams to beat is Lafayette, but one of the easier teams to beat is Parkway North. They beat the Vikings 25-23, 25-13 on Aug. 23. The Patriots also beat Union 25-23, 25-23 at the Rockwood Summit tournament on Sept. 9. At press time, the team has a 2-10 record.

Whitener said the team does different things to bond.

“Sometimes after games the team has pasta parties,” Whitener said.
Steele said the team hopes to get better this year, after a 1-28 record last season.

“I feel that the conference is strong this year. I also feel that last season didn’t go so well and we want to improve,” Steele said. “We want to compete. We have struggled to compete constantly these few years.”

Junior Christa Lolley led the team last season with the most kills, blocks, and attacks. So far this season, she is tied with Whitener in most kills, with 9. Sophomore Sophie Smith leads the team in serving with 5 aces.

Whitener said she was disappointed in last year’s results.

“It makes me feel bad and makes me want to do better this season,” she said.

Surovi said she loves playing volleyball.

“I’m not that good at math or science and the court is the only place where I can excel,” she said.

There are only four seniors on the varsity team and the majority are juniors.

“The main change this year is different kids,” Coach Steele said.