Volleyball team finds success

VOLLEYBALL TEAM SERVES COMPETITION

Highlanders cruise through regular season, looking good for playoffs

JOSH BASS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | ANDREW CHRISTOFFERSON SPORTS EDITOR ZACHARY AMMAR REPORTER

The gym rumbles as a chaotic symphony of squeaks, yelling, and boos on the volleyball court become a harmonious mob of cheers as McLean’s Nicole Mallus demolishes the ball onto Langley’s side for the win. McVolleyball is back.

As this fall’s regular season nears an end, McLean’s varsity volleyball team is having a spectacular season. With an 18-1 record as of Oct. 20, the team has been wreaking havoc on the Liberty District. With their only loss being against Langley, they ended up getting sweet revenge with a 3-0 sweep against the Saxons at home—a feat so great that even major news outlets reported on it.

“As mentioned in The Washington Post, this was the first time in 20 years that our McLean varsity volleyball program has beat Langley. I was so proud of our team for this win, especially since our only loss of the season so far was against Langley from our earlier game,” varsity head coach Samantha Stewart said.

In addition to breaking their losing streak against the Saxons, the win was also symbolic of the effort put forth as a team throughout the season. The adversity they faced after their loss to Langley earlier in the season only helped to fuel their fire and overcome their weaknesses.

“Our greatest weakness was our mental game,” Stewart said. “One of my main goals in the three years as the freshman team coach was to endow my players with the mindset that they aren’t just going out to compete and hope for the best.” While the team has worked on developing this competitive mindset and a winning culture at McLean, a surge of energy has come back to the program. The fans have been put on notice. “By having a high level of energy during our games, we are able to gain momentum while playing,” sophomore varsity player Caitlyn Lee said. “We also have intense energy from our fans that support us during games, which provides us with more motivation.” Along with the boost in energy, the team’s familiarity with one another has only accelerated their success.

“Of our roster of 17, 14 of them were on the previous varsity squad. This [has led] to a trust in one another, belief in themselves on the court and better experience against stronger opponents,” Stewart said.

As the team approaches district playoffs, they all have their sights set on one thing: winning.

“I want to make it to at least regionals this year. Based on our record so far, I think it’s definitely an achievable goal,” said junior Zaylie Tamashiro, a varsity outside hitter.

Regardless of whether or not the team makes it far in the playoffs, it has been a historic and memorable season, reflective of their stellar performance and teamwork.

“The thing that makes me passionate about volleyball is definitely getting the opportunity to play with a team of loving and supportive people,” Lee said. “It’s also always so exhilarating to witness our hard work in practice paying off when we successfully execute plays during games.”

Stewart likewise sees how well the team works together while preparing for their games.

“The team functions like a well-oiled machine in practices, switching between all of us chatting about our days into hardhitting game play without blinking,” Stewart said.

Through their electric play, McVolleyball has revived the sensational sporting environment that makes McLean students proud to be Highlanders.

“The air felt different during tryouts with this squad,” Stewart said. “We all knew that we had something special.”

Celebration time — During the intense Langley-McLean game on Oct. 5, freshman middle spiker Alexa Sribar and senior setter Ella Park celebrate after scoring a point. McLean swept Langley in three sets.

THE TEAM FUNCTIONS LIKE A WELL-OILED MACHINE IN PRACTICES, SWITCHING BETWEEN ALL OF US CHATTING ABOUT OUR DAYS INTO HARD-HITTING GAME PLAY WITHOUT BLINKING.”

- SAMANTHA STEWART VOLLEYBALL HEAD COACH