The Fossil Ridge High School volleyball captains attribute their first in-state slot to their close-knit team.
The team remains undefeated within their conference with a total record of 15-2 this year. The captains hope their preparation pays off this week in the game against their biggest competitor, Valor Christian High School, and then at regionals and the state tournament.
“Being competitive in practice and making everyone better can help better prepare us to play at the tougher competition at the state tournament,” said senior captain and middle blocker Olivia Ewing.
The team has also implemented a strategy of pushing each other to do better in training, both before and during the season, Ewing said.
“As a team, we’ve done more strength training, and also like running and conditioning,” said Ewing.
“I think incorporating weights and conditioning into our workouts and practices has helped us improve endurance and stamina in our long games,” junior Emery Johnson said.
Not only does the team push and train each other, but they also have a new coach to do the same.
“I think we really enjoyed and benefited from having a new coach and having the new perspectives and new technique,” Johnson said.
Bringing a new light to the game and to the training has been beneficial thus far. Not only is there a new coach, but there are also four captains who had to step up this year.
(FRHS Yearbook Staff)
“I think my responsibilities as a captain are like keeping everyone together and making the right decisions about the team,” said senior Alyssa Cottingham.
The captains find that motivation and success come from closeness.
“What motivates the team the most is the goal of winning and how close we’ve gotten in the other years,” Cottingham said.
“I feel like this year, we’re all just so close, like we’re all basically best friends on and off the court, and I think it really shows in games, because we all trust each other so much,” said senior libero Trinity Burchett.
All four captains said the close-knit team is the biggest motivator, as well as their key to success. The captains, along with the team, find the state championship to be within reach.
“The hard work we’ve all put in over this year and then the last few years, finally reaching our goal of winning state with this group,” said Emery Johnson.
