Sophomores make their way up to varsity volleyball

Both, Lucy Ross and Anna Garland, are sophomores on the varsity volleyball team this 2022 season. The wow factor of making varsity was a reality for them this season.

“Aiming to get on any level team and having a fun time with friends was my only goal,” Garland said.

Ross and Garland started playing volleyball in 6th grade together on the same team; Rolling Thunder Volleyball Club was where their passion all started. Ross, now, plays for MOD Volleyball Club as a setter and Garland is a libero for First Alliance.

Their volleyball experience paid off for the high school season as Ross made the sophomore team as a freshman last year and Garland was one of the top players on the freshman A team.

With Kevin Kolcz’s fifth year in the girls volleyball program and first time girls’ varsity head coach, he was looking to see what potential these girls had. Kolcz was Ross’s coach last year and knew her amazing athleticism would fit into varsity but Garland also stuck out from the sophomores.

as a libero and didn’t have any expectations to be playing up this year. Being with friends and having a fun time was all she could ask for from volleyball. She worked hard over the summer at camp. Kolcz noticed her development and gave her a shot.

“She kinda meshed in perfectly right away,” Kolcz said.

As this young team strides for success this season, these sophomores hold a lot of pressure on them. The upperclassmen count on them; Ross and Garland hope to prove their spots. Building connections with everyone and improving their skills is their focus this season.

“I hope this team plays with its full potential this year and the season turns out to be a great one,” Ross said.