Eager shoes squeak against the hardwood floor, hits echo in the upbeat gym, and exclamations of “Buck Pride” fill the Rill. Spring has arrived, and with it, the first open gyms of the upcoming girls’ volleyball season starting in August. Returning players reunite on the court for the first time since 2025, welcoming incoming freshmen as they train side by side in preseason.
Despite the demands of club volleyball, the girls carve out time every Tuesday after school to sharpen their skills as a team. Scrimmages, hitting lines, serve-receive, defense, and ball control are some of the drills players exercise during practice. Volleyball may be a game built on mistakes, but the team’s support for one another—and their love for the sport—promises a season driven by determination.
Makenna Burkholder (11) drives up for a kill with a ball set by Maya Galbraith (10) during a drill of hitting lines. This drill helps players refine their accuracy, experiment with different swing angles, and target specific spots on the court. While all positions can be incorporated, hitting lines focuses on giving hitters the repetitions they need to improve arm swing and timing. Full-team drills like this one are crucial for building chemistry and strengthening teamwork—each touch functions like a link in a chain, and if one breaks, the entire play falls apart.
Riley Hough (10) and Sadie Dougherty (11) vault up to battle for a ball on opposite sides of the net during a game of short court. Below them, teammates Maya Galbraith (10) and Genesis Guardardo (11) watch the joust unfold, eager to see which side the ball will fall. Movements of anticipation like this fuel the excitement of a match—who will win the tip, and how will the other side rebound?
The team, along with Coach Savannah Byers and Emma Shaeffer (not pictured), close out the open gym with a huddle and a final chant of “Buck Pride.” This ritual boosts team morale, and during matches serves as a mental reset for players. It not only works as a way to bring a team together physically but also aligns them to refocus and center in on goals. The lasting spirits of encouragement, support, and discipline that follows is a powerful byproduct of these brief meetings together.
