Photo Credit: Blaire Bradford
Trenae Alexander, Staff Writer
August 31, 2010
Filed under Sports, Top Stories
Though Summit Volleyball has always been known for having a respectable team, the past few years have been far from exciting for the program. Losses early in the playoffs, close defeats, and the loss of many experienced players have left the Jaguars with a very young team.
Amy Moody, Taylor Hooker, Rhiannon Rodriguez, Alexis Mourning, Eli Torres and Ashley Eli are now graduated or have left Summit for various reasons. It has undeniably left the remaining players looking for replacements. Being able to find outside hitters and a skilled setter is proving to be a challenge but Captain Camille Cherry chooses to be positive about the current problem.
“I think it’s going to make us rise to the occasion and in the end make us a better team because all teams have setbacks,” Cherry said. “It has made out younger players have to step up and our defense pick up the slack.”
With six sophomores on the team, senior Jacque Allen has had to step up and fill the positions left by Rhiannon Rodriguez, who was forced to leave due to a medical problem, and Alexis Mourning, who now plays for Martin. Setter Eli Torres’ decision to spend her senior year playing only softball has pushed Cherry to overtake the setting spot.
Despite the many losses, the team remains hopeful. Through its raw and undeveloped talent, they still have what it takes to make it deep into the playoffs as long as they continue to improve.
“We’re a lot younger and we have more sophomores. We have talent but it’s young talent that needs to develop. We need to get to know each other more. Sometimes, I feel separated and that shows so we ned to click and overcome that difference,” junior Lauren Davis said.
Team rituals is one of the many things that can help to overcame separation and make a new team bond with each other. Before games, the Jags often pray, dance, and cheer to get each other riled up and get the emotions flowing. Even during the pre-game stretching and running, the girls can be seen motivating and encouraging their teammates. The girls are willing to do anything to help improve a close the gap between the players, since they are all united by common goals.
“We want to win district and go deep into the playoffs and win the state tournament in San Marcos in November,” Head Coach Linda Alfaro said.
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