The net stretches tight between the two sides of the court. The players dive for digs and time their jumps for blocks. With every quick step, their sneakers squeak. Shouts of encouragement and commands are blended with the thud of the ball meeting a player’s arms. From the sideline, Coach David King guides the team’s movements, his voice cutting through the noise. The team responds quickly. The girls react on instinct, moving sharply where they need to be. Every movement is from
the 2024 Girls Freshman Volleyball Team, who are experiencing their very first year of high school sports.
In his third year coaching volleyball, Coach King wants to make an impact on not only how the girls play, but how they act, “Volleyball develops their character, attention to detail, hard work, sportsmanship, and using these skills in life” said King who wants to bring the girls together and unify them as a team.
“I love having an impact. Seeing them improve as people, improves my life,” King said.
Players share their coach’s commitment. “I feel honored to be part of the team, because I love volleyball. I take pride in what I do,” said freshman Zeal Shah, a setter for the team. Shah has been playing volleyball at CORE, a local club, for the past three years. She said she feels “hyped up” to be playing now for the Hillsborough Raiders.
The volleyball team practices six days a week, Monday through Saturday to work on skills. They not only work together on the court, but also see each other in classes throughout the day.
“It’s great to play with people I see everyday, it makes the whole experience better,” said freshman Sanjana Shivshankar, a middle blocker for the team.
According to Shivshankar, to keep a close relationship with the team, the girls do many themes during the school day. Dressing certain ways, for example, formal, wild west, GBA (God Bless America!), and Hawaiian are some of the many themes for team bonding.
Mila Uhrlass, a libero in her first year of the sport, wraps up the team’s enthusiasm for the sport, the team and their school. “I love playing volleyball and I’m happy I can do the thing I love for school,” she said.
