While the girls’ volleyball team has been progressing through the season, they have played some formidable opponents. During this season, so far, the girls are 5-15 overall. While the season is at the end, the girls are still working hard to improve their game. With the new income of freshmen, the team complied with almost a completely new roster. While the major jump from middle school to high school, the freshman had to learn to play with a new team completely.
“The new team has treated the freshman great, and I can not wait to continue playing with the girls and learn even more about volleyball,” Cameron Stumph (9) said.
While the players are working hard to improve their skills and technique, the coaches are also working hard to improve the team. New head coach Becca Pessler and new assistant coach Kochan Kennedy continue four practices, which are two hours long, a week to improve the team’s skill and chemistry.
Starting her senior season off strong, Anabelle Komolos (12) and the rest of the seniors prepare for their last season. She started the season in a game against Quaker Valley, where the girls were defeated with a score of 3-0.
“I was so happy to be able to get the opportunity to play volleyball for Freedom. This team has brought so many good things to me and has allowed me to be who I am today,” Komlos said. “With the mass amounts of friends and coaches, I gained through volleyball, they all made my senior season one to remember.”
As Komolos returns, Phoenix Richards (11) suffers from a game-ending ankle injury. During the game against Our Lady of Sacred Heart (OLSH), Richards went up to block the ball and sprained her ankle. Komlos had to work hard to cover Richards once she was taken off the court by playing as a middle blocker. Finishing the game, the team was defeated by OLSH after a hard-fought battle. Once Richards was checked out by the new Athletic Director, Ms. Emily Sigmund, she was cleared to continue to play and came back on the court against Hopewell on October 11.
During the senior night game against Quaker Valley, Seniors Komlos, Trista Sommerville and Isabell Bonzo play their last game of volleyball and as they do, they learn some beneficial skills, other than volleyball, from the team.
Even after the season ended, coaches Pessler and Kochan worked to further the team’s chemistry with one another, as well as prepare themselves for the next season. While the school season ends for many, students often play for club teams to better themselves over the off-season. The group continues to work hard to play even better for next season.
“I have really enjoyed coaching these girls, and hope to continue. There is so much potential when it comes to the team, and the only way for us to become better is to put in the hours and hard work,” Pessler said.