Last school year, the girls varsity volleyball team had their fair share of ups and downs, with 11 wins and 12 loses. This year, the team has seen a major difference in their performance. Through changes in coaching technique, training, and leadership, the girls have started their season with an 11-3 record.
The volleyball team has been taking steps to make this year’s season better than last year with their main focus being discipline.
“Last season, we had to focus a lot on discipline, meaning, show up when you’re supposed to show up, and do what you’re supposed to do. Focusing on being disciplined in practices, we did a whole lot of conditioning, pre season, two-a-day practices, and things like that to set the groundwork for this year. Discipline is not an issue anymore,” said head Coach Holly Dobrynski.
One major difference between last season and this season is the efficacy of the team’s practices.
“People show up; they put in work. Practices are able to be a little bit shorter because they’re more efficient, and people just get things done. We’re still working hard, but it’s just more efficient,” said Dobrynski.
For the Panthers, practice drills are the tactic in beating their opponents, as their defense is one of the best in the county. The team is ranked second in the Potomac Region according to Max Preps, just behind Riverside.
“We do lots of serving, lots of receiving with passing, offensive work, and drills. We work a lot on defense, and our defense is unmatched right now. We focus on defense a lot and figuring out ways that we can outsmart our opponents,” said Dobrynski.
Each season there are captains, whether they are upperclassmen and have team experience or someone who just gives out motivation for their team and teammates. This year’s captains are seniors Caroline Cole and Camille Ciambruschini.
“My role as captain has affected the team positively, because I always try my best to be a strong example for the team and have a good attitude to hype the team up. I always make sure to focus on myself and not compare myself to other people, and I feel like that has helped me become a better player, which has contributed to being a better captain for the team,” said Cole.
Ciambruschini has been the face of varsity volleyball since her sophomore year. The senior setter had a big night on Sep. 16 against Briar Woods, with 34 assists, 12 digs, 8 kills, and 3 aces in the 3-1 win over the Falcons.
“As a player, I have tried to push us as a program to strive for better and allow people to make errors in order to improve. We had a bit of rebuilding our past two years, but this year we are 11 and 2 and doing really well. I think over the years I’ve just tried to make sure we are all on the same page with wanting to get better and not just be a mediocre program but also be a great program,” said Ciambruschini.
The team’s only losses this season have come against Millbrook, Loudoun County, and defending state champions Riverside.
“One word to describe the volleyball program this year is consistency. The coaches and players make sure everyone is putting their best foot forward in order to win and be the best they can be,” said Cole.