Week #11 - Girls Varsity Volleyball Season Ends With A Smash: Badgers Finish Second in the GPAC Tournament!

Highland's outside hitters had a very difficult time dealing with Tandem's blockers - Emory was constantly setting up her own little block party at the net, and she was kind enough to invite Elisabeth and Althea. All four sets were close, with service streaks from Lola and Emory, and Sofia setting up powerful hitting from Maya, leaving the opponent in awe. The Badgers wrapped up their season in style, earning a runner-up plaque for second place in the GPAC! The Badgers did so despite playing as the underdog both on Tuesday vs Quantico and today as well.

 

It's been an incredible journey for this extraordinary group of athletes and people. The action began way back on August 5th, when the Badgers gathered for preseason. It was 95 degrees outside - and even hotter inside. The team got right to work - focusing on their hitting approach, passing accuracy and defensive formations. Their growth was evident the first time they took the court for competition, a late August road match at STAB. Our Badgers were, as Claire put it, "still getting to know each other." While STAB had some tall blockers in the middle, the Badgers burst out to a big lead, largely due to the serving prowess of Sofia and Claire.

 

A few weeks later, the Badgers really began to find their stride. Tandem won six consecutive games in the month of September, dominating Wakefield and RMA 3-0, and finding ways to win tight games with Stuart Hall and Foxcroft on the road. Ella served the heck out of the ball at Stuart Hall, running off six straight aces, giving Tandem some much needed momentum. The Badgers were excellent defensively with Elisabeth and Emory as exceptionally strong blockers. Taylor and Zella were true specialists in the back row, and they turned that defense into some quick offense. Having a setter in Sofia who can get to the ball no matter where it is on the court, and outside hitters like Maya and Lola who snap their wrist with extreme power has made Tandem a force to be reckoned with!

 

Throughout the season, these Badgers taught me a lot about both volleyball and life. The first time I got the lineup card, I may or may not have put them in positions they don't normally play. They taught me that the best way to refocus during a timeout is to do the macarena, and that if you have ten minutes before you get home it's time to play All Too Well. Our seniors led by example, and by the time we arrived at Senior Night, they brought their best in an exciting 3-0 sweep of Stuart Hall. Taylor was fabulous defensively, and she also had a massive overhand serve to close out the game! Lola and Cora brought big, crushing hits from their respective sides of the court, with Sofia setting them up for success.

 

The team played their last five regular season games on the road. It was a difficult stretch that definitely prepared them for the GPAC playoffs. I was particularly proud of the classy way the team played and carried themselves on the road at Wakefield Country Day in a hostile environment. No matter how much noise or comments we heard from the opposing crowd, Tandem continued to play at a high level, as they have throughout the season.

 

The Badgers won easily against Wakefield in the first round of the playoffs on Monday. It was Elisabeth's best game of the season, dominating her position, while Cora had some big hits from the right side of the net.  Tuesday's battle against #2 seeded Quantico was much more difficult. Tandem put together their best game of the season - getting massive contributions from Maya's powerful hitting, Lola and Zella's defense and of course, Sofia's incredible effort to set every ball. Althea was excellent defensively as well - her best game of the year!

 

The result was a 3-1 victory, a game that our enthusiastic crowd will never forget, in which the Badgers worked together to be the absolute best version of themselves. And it was so much fun! Tandem advanced to the finals! This afternoon, in their final game of the season, Tandem gave top-seeded Highland everything they could handle. Congratulations to our incredible Girls Varsity Volleyball Badgers, GPAC Runner-Up, on a magical season!

 

In March, when I started searching for a coach, I asked Sofia what qualities she thought were most important. "I just want to have good vibes next season," she told me. The odds, in many ways, were stacked against this group. Despite all of the inconsistencies they faced, Co-Captains Sofia and Lola, both named 1st-Team All-Conference, led the team in every huddle and at every practice. Manager/Coach Seth's knowledge has been invaluable - guiding players strategy, positioning and technique and providing a sky high volleyball IQ and a calming energy. Thank you so much Seth - to say we couldn't have done it without you is a major understatement.

 

An enormous thank you to Coach Anna, who originally offered to assist with preseason and stayed on to coach the squad! With Seth at her side, the Badgers were incredibly lucky to have such high level volleyball wisdom on the sidelines! Thanks also to Todd and Lauren for helping to drive the team, and to all of the families and friends who brought great energy at both home and away games, provided snacks and meals, and picked up our athletes at all hours of the night.

 

Most of all, thank you to this incredible group of student athletes. I had so much fun getting to work alongside you. Thank you for teaching me so much about this beautiful game! I am so proud of all that you have accomplished and grateful to have been a part of the fun! I'll be doing the macarena in all my huddles from now on.

 

Cheers to our all-conference Badgers - Sofia and Lola were named to first team, and Maya an honorable mention.