Volleyball claims victory over Shawnee Mission North in first match of the season
The Jaguars defeated the Indians 3-0 on Tuesday, Aug. 30 at home.
By Nora Lucas
Seniors Maggie Bogart and Morgan Thomas, along with junior Ava Taton, prepare for an incoming ball on Tuesday, Aug. 30. The Jaguars won all three games against Shawnee Mission North.
August 31, 2016
Volleyball swept its match against the Shawnee Mission North Indians after three successful wins on Tuesday, Aug. 30. This was the first match of the season, making the Jaguars now 1-0.
As a whole, the team anticipated a win, accrediting the success to practice and excitement.
“I expected to win,” head coach Debbie Fay said. “I think the [team] came in excited to play, as a first game at home. We’ve been working hard for a couple weeks, so they were ready to play.”
Junior Izzy Hellon agreed that the team held high expectations for themselves and came through.
Senior Emma Mantel leans back for a hard hitting serve.
“Because it was the first game, you don’t want to go in with a bad attitude,” Hellon said. “Going into this game, they weren’t the hardest competition, but they were obviously still competition. Anyone is.”
The enthusiasm on the court was obvious, the team cheering hard and complimenting each other after scoring. Senior Morgan Thomas thought this was a key component to their victory.
“We came out fired up and loud. The momentum and energy was just all good,” Thomas said. “It was a good first game.”
Varsity team members break a huddle after a score.
The anticipation surrounding the first EKL game was no hinderance to team members, who actually used it as motivation.
“In the EKL, I think we go in thinking, ‘Oh, [the opponents are] really good’ so we practice harder to be ready for it,” Hellon said. “It was actually really good to just go out there and not play a super hard team and win our first game.”
Even though the Jaguars won, Fay looks forward to improving throughout the season.
“[The team needs to work on] being a little more sure of themselves,” Fay said. “There was a little hesitation, especially late in the game, and just having the confidence to go and go hard.”
Thomas admits the end of the game is a team weakness, and acknowledges there is always room for improvement.
Throwing the ball upward, sophomore Grace Lovett serves.
“We play down to people’s levels,” Thomas said. “We need to make sure we’re getting runs, keeping our momentum, and then finishing the game once we get up to the higher points.”
The Jaguars will play Blue Valley West at an away game on Thursday, Sept 1.
