As the volleyball season comes to a start, all three teams have attended their season opening tournaments. Varsity got third in the tournament, the JV and B team both ended the tournament with a 2-3 record.
The BCHS gym has been completely repainted with a new floor design for the first time in ten years. Along with the floors, the score boards have been replaced for the first time in twenty years, being last replaced in 2004. Many volleyball players have said they loved the design of the floors. Bella Battistone said “The floor is really grippy and has good traction for all sports.” Many other students agreed with this and have noticed the difference from last year.
This season there are multiple new players who made varsity. Sophomore Bella Battistone made the B team as a freshman and varsity as a sophomore. During the off season she improved many skills while she played her second season of club volleyball. After this volleyball season she will be continuing playing in her club for a third season. Bella is starting for varsity as an opposite, she also plays as an outside hitter and middle back. Along with Bella, freshman Juliette Kelso also made varsity. She is the youngest player on varsity, as a starter. She is a middle blocker, often being able to play right next to her older sister Sophia Kelso.
While the season has its ups and downs in the team’s athletic ability, it also has ups and downs of academics within the volleyball season. Coach Chad Robinson said “In high school sports athletes should lean towards academics, aiming for straight A’s and always trying their best.” Coach Kurt Bailey agreed with this and stated “Academics comes first, and I believe that school administrations have been doing the right thing with grade checks.” The grade checks have helped many athletes stay on top of their academics and always be on track.
When students were asked if they believe that academics or athletics were more important, multiple student athletes said academics. Coach Kurt Bailey said “Your mind will take you further than your body ever will.” This is a great representation of why most student athletes put their academics ahead of their athletics.
