Team recognizes improvements as volleyball season comes to end

Senior+Taylor+Goetz+sets+the+ball+as+senior+Kaitlyn+Laue+and+junior+Sadie+Friend+provide+support.+The+seniors+were+recognized+during+senior+night%2C+which+was+held+on+October+15th+in+between+games+against+Osage.+++Photo+by+Ryan+Sprouse

Senior Taylor Goetz sets the ball as senior Kaitlyn Laue and junior Sadie Friend provide support. The seniors were recognized during senior night, which was held on October 15th in between games against Osage. Photo by Ryan Sprouse

 

  With the end of the volleyball season, the players and coach reflect on the improved season from last year. The team finished the season with a record of 5-20 which was better than the girls have done in the last four years.

 As Coach Shelly Hodges finished up her first season at WHS, she began to reflect on what the team has done as a whole.

  “I feel like the girls have improved on many aspects of the game of volleyball. We have worked hard to improve our fundamentals of the game. We have worked hard on being physically stronger and mentally stronger and we have tried hard to remain a team unit,” Hodges said.

  Even if improvements were made from last year, Hodges recognized what the team still needed to work on.

  “We all need to work on making fewer mistakes of our own that gives the other team points. Our communication can always improve on the court. I want the girls to continue to work on getting on the floor to get the balls hit to them and become a stronger offense along with our defense,” Hodges said.

  This year was the final year for Taylor Goetz. She has played volleyball all four years she could throughout high school.

  “I wouldn’t change anything about this season. I’ve had a great year with a new coach and good teammates,” Goetz said.

  Along with Goetz, senior Kaitlyn Laue played varsity this year for the last time with the team.

   “I enjoyed my last season of volleyball. I especially enjoyed the group of girls I got to experience my last year with,” Laue said.

  While looking back at the year, the seniors noticed what they will miss the most.

  “The thing I will miss the miss the most about volleyball is playing. I love the sport itself,” senior Taylor Goetz said.

  “I’ll miss the girls I got to play with,” senior Kaitlyn Laue said.

  Senior night for the girls was against Osage on October 15.

  The team was seeded last in districts and fell short to Nevada 7-25 and 8-25 in two sets. Nevada was 19-10.

 As the season closed, Goetz reflected on her highlight match.

  “My highlight match was going against Marshall in our last tournament because we worked hard, we played as a team and we came out with a win,” Goetz said.

  “My highlight match this season was against Osceola because we gave them a really good game and did not lose by much.” Laue said.

  Win or lose, the girls didn’t want the season to end.

   “I will miss being able to compete and bond with my team,” sophomore Hannah Chapman said.