The 2024 Armuchee volleyball team comes together once again to take on competitors, create new and closer friendships, and increase their skills as their season comes to a start. Although some parts of the process of getting better may be challenging, the excitement and enjoyment of winning a game after weeks worth of practice is worth it all. Multiple days a week of practicing makes everything. From their first summer practices, to their most recent games, they have already created a variation of memories that will never be forgotten.
On August 20th, the first region game of the season both JV and Varsity pulled through wins for the tribe. Emotions escalated for every girl as the game got closer and closer in points. Sophomore, Ella Kate Hollaway, said, “I was hyped for getting back on the court and having the competition aspect come back”. Ella Kate is a good example of having confidence in herself and her team, instead of explaining her emotions as anxious, she describes them with positivity. Her attitude completely ties in the frame of mind for the whole volleyball team. They are all confident and positive about their teammates, teamwork, and skills as a team. As the whole team works together on the court, the audience doesn’t have to search for teamwork and communication. Ella also said, “We can only get better after the first game.”
Clint Decker, a Social Studies teacher here at Armuchee High School, is the proud coach of the volleyball team. The team has been in the Final Four in 2017 and have won region back to back with him as a coach over the past 7 years. He is determined to win this year’s region championship and works with the girls every day to prepare them for that exact moment. Freshman, Savannah Bates, said, “He’s really good. He knows what he wants and is determined to get it done. He pushes us with daily drills every day, and gives us advice about how to be better players, not only through our physical skills but also our mental toughness” Although Savannah is on the JV team and is unable to compete in the region championship, she is still aware of what the team is working for every day. He doesn’t only want to prepare the varsity team for this year’s championship, but he is also pushing the JV to their limits by treating them and their skills just like the Varsity for their moment in time to compete on the varsity team.
With the season finally coming to a start, there is still so much to look forward to. There are plenty of games, practices, and bonding moments that are to be anticipated for the girls and their coaches. Although winning is super fun for everyone, most of the girls value the memories they create with their close friends, more along the way there may be celebrations, late-night practices, and locker room moments that are remembered forever. Junior, Sarah Perry, said, “While winning is super fun, I am most excited for the time I get to spend with my best friends.” The girls have played volleyball, along with other sports such as soccer, track, and basketball together forever, which has slowly moved them closer to each other. Sarah also said, “We are all one big family through the good and the bad. We are always there for each other.”
