Page 15 - Twice-Told April 2018

Volume 18, Issue 6 Page 15

Bump, Set, Spike!

By Ethan Leckie

W hile ences between boys’ and girls’ volleyball for her are
girls’ volleyball easy to spot. “Men’s indoor volleyball is a growing
is a hyper- sport that has gotten more popular over the last five
competitive years. Boys’ volleyball is more of an offensive sport,
sport, boys’ vol- where girls’ volleyball is all-around defense and of-
leyball is seen as fence.” Clearly, she’s seen many different players in
mainly recrea- her time as a coach, and because of that, she knows
tional: something what qualities good players possess. She considers, “A
played with desire to learn, dedication, passion, selflessness, and
friends as a part grit” to be the best traits a good volleyball player can
of a perfect day have. To instill those traits in her players, Coach Gal-
on the beach. It’s lagher focuses on, “The fundamental skills, communi-
only until recent- cation, working as a team, and volleyball IQ” in the
ly that this idea teams’ practices. When asked if there is indeed a stig-
has even been ma surrounding boys’ volleyball, she simply said, “I
challenged. Be- think because it is so new and not [as] popular, there
cause of this are certain misconceptions of the sport.”
stigma, not much The team hopes for the stigma surrounding
is known about boys’ volleyball to be eliminated. Although many do
our boys’ volley- play for fun, it is a shame that they don’t get the respect
ball team. they deserve. They put a lot of effort (and jumping) into
Entering their practices. Our school’s team puts a lot of time and
its fourth year, preparation into being successful, and they deserve to
the Lake High- be taken seriously.
land boys’ vol-
leyball team is
looking great. (Above) Although they have only been together for a short time, the team has developed great chemis-
There are enough try with one another. To them, they’re all family. All photos by Ethan Leckie.
guys this year to have both a JV and a Varsity team.
Turnout for volleyball has typically been great. Accord- “I thought it was a great opportunity to learn some-
ing to Assistant Coach Katie Gallagher, “This year we thing new.”
have had the most interest and participation.” Most of The quality of a team’s coaching is vital for
the guys playing used this sport as an activity to keep in their success. A bad coach will only leave his or her
shape for their main sport, while others simply want to players confused and unprepared. Thankfully though,
try something new. Despite the turnout, the team is still boys’ volleyball doesn’t have that problem. “The
shrouded in secrecy. To many people, players just spike coaches treat every ball like we are in a game. They
volleyballs and come up with cool pre-game pep talks. teach us everything we need to know about volleyball
Thankfully, they do a little more than that. and are extremely helpful,” explained Pavan. Tryouts
Pavan Kanumalla, a Freshman with two years can be a very stressful time for athletes. For Pavan, he
of playing experience, had quite a bit to say about the was just glad to be back. “It was a lot of fun to play
team. When it comes to practices, coaches seem to pre- again after eight months,” said Pavan.
pare the team well for games. “We practice four times a Jeffrey Zhou is another Freshman with two
week, and each day we treat it as if we are in game-like years of volleyball under his belt. Practices to him are,
situations,” said Pavan. “We show passion coming in “A lot of fun, and [is when they] go over the basic
and out of our huddles and always run during our skills of volleyball.” Jeffrey’s primary sport is volley-
drills,” he added. ball, so he takes a more serious approach to the sport. (Above) Pavan Kanumalla has had a lot of playing time this
Since many people on the team use volleyball When asked to describe tryouts, he simply stated, season. Although only a Freshman, he has gained a lot of
as a secondary sport, the question had to be asked: “They were basically like practices.” One thing that experience. Getting more minutes this season has helped
“Does volleyball help players to stay in shape for your Pavan and Jeffrey agreed on is that there is a lot of him perfect his game skills and improve his communicating
primary sport?” Pavan played basketball last year, and jumping. Jeffrey said, “Playing volleyball has helped skills with his teammates.
said, “We do a lot of conditioning… Volleyball helped me increase my vertical a lot, as we are constantly
me get quicker on my feet and increased my vertical.” jumping.”
Joining the team for Pavan was an easy decision. “I The team has amazing personnel at
decided to join because my friends did.” He elaborates, hand, including Assistant Coach Katie Gallagher.
Having coached the
sport of volleyball
for ten years, and
spending five of
those here at Lake
Highland to coach
the girls’ team, she is
more than qualified
to lead the boys’
volleyball team.
Coaching the boys’
team was a change of
direction for her. Ms.
Gallagher explained,
“I worked with the
girls’ team the last
five years and [Head
Coach Erin Fleming]
asked me to assist
her on the boys’ (Above) Typical reasons to join volleyball are being with one’s
team.” Since Ms. friends and trying something new, but Jeffrey Zhou’s, grade
(Above) The boys’ team works very hard in each and every practice to ensure that they will per- 9, reason is much more unique. “I read this manga called
form their best during the game. Everyone on the team knows what they have to do during the Gallagher has Haikyuu, and it made me want to try volleyball,” he explained.
game to succeed. coached volleyball
for so long, the differ-