Bump! Set! Spike! The 2018 W.M.S. Volleyball Team is a very talented young group of girls. This season they are prepared to dominate, both on and off the court. The volleyball team is as close as ever. They make posters, have special handshakes, and even locker room gossip. And now, they are ready to take on the district!

The W.M.S. Volleyball team, led by Coach Brett Wells, is a well-constructed organization. It is divided into 3 teams (a group of about 6-8 girls who always play together): A, B1, and B2. “I have the different teams because it allows the girls to progress in a different pattern. The A team is for the most competitive girls. B2 is developmental; the seventh graders working to get better so they can dominate next year,” explains Coach Wells. The players are all very competitive.

W.M.S. Volleyball players have great relationships, and it shows in their playing. “It’s so important that the girls have a good connection. They have a better understanding of each other on the court, and are more likely to pass to each other and call the ball,” states Brooklyn Nicholson, a seventh-grader on the B2 team. Volleyball requires attention to detail, communication, and most importantly, teamwork. It is vital that these ideas are understood between the girls.

The Volleyball team houses skilled players. “There were a total of 48 girls [who] tried out, and I took 21,” says Coach Wells. “We have a team manager also, and that makes 22.” The A team consists of 8 girls: Elyse Schroeder, Bailey Kennedy, Gracie Bowles, Jordan Barnes, Meghan McCarthy, Katie Rachwal, Ella Binder, and Brooke Zadjel. B1 has 7 girls: Mira Vulaj, Batoul Fakih, Sydney Osgood, Lilliana Nemee, Abby Hawkins, Ruby Smentowski, and Alayna Calma. Finally, B2 has 6 girls: Ally Hawkins, Brooklyn Nicholson, Ava Geyer, Love Perryman, Chloe Hendricks, and Elli Ropert. Rachel Lipman is the team manager.  

The W.M.S. Volleyball team spreads 1-2 games across each week during the season. A 2-hour practice is held each day from 3-5pm in the gym on non-game days.

West plays a total of 8 games. The team will play one home game and one away game against each of the PCCS middle schools: East, Discovery, Liberty, and Pioneer.

“[Getting ready for a game] is so exciting,” says Alayna Calma, an eighth-grader on B1. “When you see the other team come in you immediately get super hyped and ready for the game.”

During the games, the stands are crowded with friends and family members, biting their nails to see who will be crowned victor. Wins and losses are announced on the morning announcements at West, and word gets around about the outcome of games. The pressure truly is “on” for the girls to perform to their highest ability.

Many people are responsible for the successes of the W.M.S. Volleyball Team. The coaches, volunteers, parents, and of course, the girls have turned the W.M.S. Volleyball Team into something extraordinary.