As Central students go into the remainder of the school year, they tend look back on their progress with satisfaction. This is also true for sports. Central’s volleyball season ended on October 3 when they played against CSAS at home, which unfortunately ended in a 0-3 loss. The team finished with a record of seven wins and eight losses. Even though their season is over, the team is proud of all they achieved this season and are looking forward to the next one.

Volleyball Coach Holly Ware is proud of the team and their performances throughout the season. She is happy that the team was able to greatly improve as the season went on. Ware’s main goals for the year were to always have fun, represent Central positively, and to be a family; all of these were accomplished by the team.

“It isn’t about winning all the time, which is great if you do, but it is more about improving and growing as a team, and they did that,” said Ware.

Ware also noted that all of the players improved as the season went on. She mentioned that the two most improved players were Freshman Madi Marler and Sophomore Alona Allen. Marler improved her serve over the season and learned how to better recover from a mistake with resilience. Allen, who is a first year volleyball player, greatly furthered her understanding of the game, especially concerning controlling her passes on the court.

This season was the last for Seniors Olivia Rawl and McKenzie Stephens. The two have been great leaders to the rest of the team; they pushed the team to the best of their abilities and encouraged them when mistakes arose. The team will surely feel their absence going into next season.

“I think the volleyball season went extremely well and [I am] happy with it, but of course, there is always room for improvement. I [also] have plans in the future with volleyball, but [I am] not sure where yet,” shared Rawl.

Next year, Coach Ware hopes to start having the team lift and do plyometrics. Ware noted that strength and speed training can be crucial to athletes. Starting more intense workouts can help the players to improve their athleticism overall.

“It is more than just coaching a volleyball team. I am coaching them to be better human beings in the world, to love each other and others that you come in contact with.  [I am coaching them] to make a difference, to have passion about something, and to work your butt off to be the best, no matter what you decide to do,” concluded Ware.