Despite placing fourth in the league, the Broncs senior girls’ volleyball team is heading to zone championships Nov. 16 and 17.
Coach Joely Hanke said the team has a few things they need to fine-tune but she is hopeful of what they can do. “The main thing is to have fun.”
Over the season the team has had a challenge keeping both defense and offense strong throughout the game. Serving and receiving might be strong but attacking was lacking or vice-versa, she explained.
Stress has also had a negative effect on the players, Hanke explained. She wants players to compete at zones “with no stress on their shoulders.” She feels if they celebrate their victories on the court it will help them be more positive when they are losing.
The challenge she sees with her players is consistency during games. “If they can focus they can do anything on the court.”
It has been a tough season for the team as Grade 12 setter Karlee Sieweke was injured with a broken arm but the players rallied to overcome that obstacle.
“Our Grade 10 setter (Savannah Slater) has filled some big shoes and she has done it well,” she stated.
The Broncs worked on a different team strategy this season because of the change and Hanke couldn’t be more pleased with their efforts.
She feels players have been able to bond together and become more than just a team, they have treated each other as a family, she explained.
There are five players in Grade 12 who she is sad to see go but glad to see them move forward with their lives: Paige Bonnett, Cassidy Corkery, Victoria Boardman, Amy Lank and Karlee Sieweke.