Check out the fun video I got of the team ringing the Victory Bell after our Wilbraham win a few weeks back! Go team!
Ringing the Bell
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Happy Halloween!
Boo!
In honor of Halloween, we took a trip to Fletcher’s Farm, hung out with the animals, and picked up some pumpkins. Enjoy!
Love, Williston Varsity Volleyball
What A Match!
In an exciting and challenging match, Williston Volleyball defeated Wilbraham-Monson Academy in five sets on Saturday, October 13, 2012. The gym was electric with the energy from this game. Williston won the first set, 25-21, and then lost the next two, 17-25, 20-25. With some powerful serving, Sam Rach opened up the fourth game with eight serves in a row, and with this momentum, Williston never let up. We powered through: digging some great hits, receiving some powerful serves, and hustling everywhere on the court. In a full-team effort, Williston won the fourth game, 25-19. That energy and confidence sent us flying into the fifth game with determination and we dominated, 15-8. There were many highlights from this game, but no stats. Coach Williams was trying to keep stats, but the excitement of the game got in the way! Suffice to say, everyone contributed in amazing ways!
This game truly showed the heart, skill, and teamwork that this team has been cultivating all season. Everyone contributed in this game, playing, cheering, and supporting each other as we fought for each point. We were led by excellent serving and took care of the ball on our side. Ringing the victory bell was a sweet reward for a match well-played.
Week Two!
What a week we had last week! We played Pomfret on Wednesday, which was a great learning opportunity for us. We worked hard against a competitive opponent and learned about mental toughness.
In the last set, the team focused on “winning mentally”—meaning celebrating all the great things they do and responding to adversity with a positive attitude.
It worked! The set was much closer and the team taught themselves a powerful lesson.
On Saturday, we put that mental preparation in to practice on the court. In a solid match against Stoneleigh-Burnham, we took care of the ball, served tough, and finished plays. We implemented so many of the skills we had been working on in practice, including precise footwork, knowing our positions on the court, and supporting our teammates. The match was fun and our hard work paid off.
Enjoy these great pictures of us ringing the Victory Bell, taken by our fabulous manager, Sue!
Week One!
Last week was our first week of games and we started to see the fruits of our labors…
On Wednesday, we hosted Hotchkiss Academy, and the match showed the power of our team to grow, adapt and thrive. The team played a tentative first set, losing 11-25, but steadily narrowed the point spread throughout the match, posting 17-25 and 20-25 scores. Overall, Williston’s scrappy defense and aggressive serving made a powerful difference from set one to set three, and we wished we could have played just one more game!
On Saturday, we hosted Berkshire School. This was a good early-season game to test our heart and dedication. We showed that we are flexible and fearless as a team, and we are willing to work hard, even when we are challenged. Though the scores didn’t go in our favor (16-25, 18-25, 8-25), this whole match was a powerful learning experience for us as a team. We can’t wait to play Berkshire again in a few weeks!
Good Luck from Goldie
I received this fantastic note from our former Assistant Coach, Neile Golding. Coach Golding (aka “Goldie”) is now teaching and coaching at Albuquerque Academy. On the occasion of our first game today… here it is, a note of encouragement from Goldie!
“Williston Volleyballers,
This being my first season out of the program and away from Williston, I have been feeling quite nostalgic, especially after reading the comments of some of my dear old volleyball players. They have expressed themselves so well and the mere fact that they took the time out of their ever-so-cool college lives to share some advice and well wishes to present and future volleyball players, says such positive things about them and their experiences on and off the court.
Preseason Wrap-up
Through the blur of three-a-day practices, international student orientation, and leadership activities, the Williston Volleyball team survived preseason!
We, the coaches, were so impressed with the dedication and improvement of players, and their willingness to get to know each other and start building our team. It was a great couple days, full of teaching skills on the court and in the classroom, playing together, and learning Boxey Ball from Coach Chambers. Overall, preseason set us up for an exciting season ahead!
Here’s what a few of our athletes had to say:
Preseason Highlight: Boxey Ball
The setting was the first night of preseason, the location: the gym. The team was tired but excited after a humid afternoon of testing and playing. At the end of the team meeting, after sharing stories of our summers and reviewing the team letter, we learned a new game that just may change the way we play volleyball…and the way we live.
Welcome to Boxey Ball!
Coach Chambers is the co-creater of Boxey Ball, and quite an impressive player herself. The game is simple, yet elegant: there is one box in the middle of a circle of athletes and a ball. One team member tosses the ball to another, who passes it into the box, and that counts as “one.”
Then the team rotates positions, and repeats that pattern, increasing the number of contacts each time they are successful. First team to 20 wins!
Alumni Advice for Preseason Players
I reached out to some of our recent alumni for their wisdom and advice for preseason athletes. Enjoy! (And add your own words of encouragement!)
Rae Underberg, Captain, ’11:
Despite the difficult nature of starting preseason (whether this is the first time you are playing after a long, lazy summer, or the first time ever playing the sport), preseason is one hundred percent worth the sweat. Working hard in preseason not only reaps benefits in terms of preparing physically for the season and brushing up on skills, but it also sets the tone for the season. Working through grueling training during the preseason gets you mentally ready for any tough in-game moments during the season. Also, giving all you have during preseason shows your team that you are completely dedicated and want to help the team be the best it can be. This is especially important in developing the trust that really is so crucial to volleyball. So remember, when you’re out there struggling through two-a-days, in the end it will not only help your own development, but your hard work also contributes to the team chemistry and of course, future success.
Lydia Stinson, ’11:
Dear new people and Khrystyna (who really doesn’t need to read this but, “Hi Khrystyna!”),
I’m incredibly jealous you’re playing volleyball at Williston right now. Preseason preshmeesum. It will stink at times but it will totally be worth it!
Welcome from Coach Chambers
Hello!
I’m excited to start the 2012 season! As I have learned, some of you are returning and others are new to Williston. In both cases, I am excited about our team and know that we are going to have a lot of fun while working as a terrific team.
A brief introduction of myself ~ This is my first coaching assignment as a teacher. In high school, I was my own team’s throwing coach for girl’s track and field. My school had a shortage of funding, so my best friend and I took on leadership roles to help Twin Valley High School carry on their Division II Championship status. Although challenging at times, it was a lot of fun!