Dons set up new season with win over Menlo

Starting off the season with a full team of 15 players, compared to typical teams of 12, the girls volleyball team can now take advantage of the multiple benefits to a larger team.

Although the team has more players than usual, senior team manager and former player Samantha Wen believes a larger team will foster growth and improvement.

“There is a lot more competition for a position and it pushes people to get better,” Wen said.

Junior middle Maddie Campbell reflects on the differences between past teams and this year’s players.

“The last two years, we were never super close and there was sometimes tension between people,” Campbell said.

“Compared to the 13 we’ve had in the past, [with 15], we’re able to be louder while cheering which actually makes such a big difference.”

The stronger team chemistry is particularly impressive this year as the Dons have seven players new to the varsity level, accounting for almost half of the roster.

Each individual player brings their own unique skill set into the game. A combination of these different abilities allows the team to be versatile. For example, freshman setter Gabriella Oaks has impressed the team this year with her passing and setting.

“She has an amazing sense of the court,” Wen said. “She has great passing and her hands are great.”

Both Wen and Campbell agree that the team’s most distinct strength has been passed on from the previous team.

“Our team’s strength [is] definitely defense, similar to last year”

“Our team’s strength [is] definitely defense, similar to last year,” Campbell said.

In addition to defense, another key characteristic Campbell believes the team excels at is communication.

“All of us communicate nonstop on the court and are constantly calling for the ball,” Campell said. “Everyone wants to touch the ball or make that kill to end a set or match.”

To help the team gain more confidence in communicating, head coach Kelsey Stiles initiates drills that strengthen the team’s ability to work together.

“We have been doing a lot of cooperative drills that force you to become a team, which is crucial in volleyball because it’s a very codependent sport,” Campbell said.

From a new varsity player’s standpoint, certain aspects of the game intensify greatly.

“The speed of the game and competition between teams are much more intense on varsity,” said sophomore setter and opposite hitter Lucy Yin. For new players, sometimes advice from those with experience make all the difference when it comes to being close on and off the court. In most cases, previous players such as Wen are able to aid in team bonding.

“I am telling people some strategies because I know the game too,” Wen said. “Even though I’m not playing, I can still try to be the best volleyball player I can be and cheer them on during practices and games.”

Beginning with a clean record and coming off a 20-17 season, the Dons are expected to improve and do well against all their opponents.

The team’s first opponent was Menlo on Aug. 24. Beating them for the first time in Aragon girl’s volleyball history, the Dons took down Menlo in four sets.

Junior outside hitter Lydia Manu discusses what she believed to really contribute to the team’s victory.

“Our team really played as one,” Manu said. “Whenever someone made a mistake, we would pick each other up with encouragement and come back the next play with twice the determination to make up for it.”

Looking to build off of their first win, the Dons are set to host Sacred Heart Prep on Aug. 30.