New season, new coaches, new attitude
Volleyball team starts year with new staff and positive mood
Senior Morgan Swab spikes the volleyball back to the Avonworth team during the second set of the Sept. 4 game.
Last year’s volleyball season ended with despondence. One coach was moving to work in another district and the other found a new job opportunity. However, that meant that this year’s season was going to be different.
Instead of two coaches, the Lady Bulldogs now have three who all work to help the team do as well as possible. Head Coach George Bellinger works most with the varsity team, but still is around for the junior varsity team. Assistant Coach Ashley Fetchin works mainly with junior varsity and Assistant Coach Robert Basile assists with both teams.
“A change in coaching staff can be really hard for the players because there is a lot of adjustments for them to make. No two coaches are the same, so there is most certainly an adjustment period,” Fetchin said.
With the new coaches, the team had to adjust to the new changes that were ahead of it.
“I feel adjusting to new faces as a coach is just as difficult if not more difficult as it is to having a new coach. Our team is working hard and adjusting as best as they can with all the new changes that have been thrown at us,” Frashure said.
The Lady Bulldogs started their new season with an away game against Chartiers-Houston, which they lost three sets in a row. The second game against Avonworth was at home where the Bulldogs lost to the Antelopes in straight sets.
The home game against Quigley was the first win of the season. The volleyball team won in straight sets, sealing their first victory.
The following two games against South Park and North Catholic, respectively, were both lost to the opposite team both three to zero.
The game against OLSH was away where the team lost in three straight sets.
Frashure is hopeful for a better season and for some wins. Additionally, she feels that the team has improved greatly and hopes for the team’s familial bond to stay strong.
“My last goal I will share is that I want to see progression. Wins are fantastic and obviously what we strive for however, if our play progresses with each game and practice that makes me happy as well as only make us better as a team,” Fetchin said.
The team will be away at Avonworth on Oct. 1 and home on Oct. 3 playing against South Park. Come and watch the Lady Bulldogs finish their season at home on Oct. 3, Oct. 10 or on Oct. 16 against Western Beaver.
