By Jacqueline Risch

If you can’t take the heat, get off the court! This year’s TPA Lady Knights volleyball girls are coming in fired up, and are ready to battle every set they play! The season may have gotten off to a rocky start, but these athletes are practicing hard, eager to show the competition who they’re really against.

Senior varsity player Chloe Darling describes the team as having a “really good offensive strength. There’s lots of good leadership from our setter, Elle, who really helps control the court.” Fellow player Bree Van Dahm additionally praises the team for its energy. “The energy that everyone brings is a huge plus. Everyone is so uplifting and encouraging.”

While these ladies have some great strengths, they also have a few goals they want to work on to improve their game. “Gaining confidence. I think a lot of the times in games we don’t play as we normally do in practice, and at the best we can,” Darling addresses. Senior Lily Welter also describes that while the energy the Lady Knights bring is very empowering, “sometimes it can just cut out. For example, like during a play, or if we’re discouraged. I think it would be amazing if we could manage to get a stable, consistent level of energy and excitement throughout the whole game.”

Additionally, both Welter and Darling express some goals they want to work towards for their senior year of volleyball. “I want to become a better defender in the back row,” says Darling. “I also want to do my best supporting the underclassmen, letting them know it’s okay to make mistakes because the more afraid you are to hit the ball at the net, the likelihood of a good result goes down. You can’t be afraid to make a mistake, or all you’re going to focus on are mistakes.” Welter adds, “I’d really like to get the full experience of one last year and improving my skills.” This year is also Welter’s first year on varsity and she is pumped to make the most out of it.

Even off the court, the team works on bonding through funny pre-game activities, pasta nights, or just supporting each other at junior varsity and varsity games. One of Welter’s favorite moments with the team was “when we were trying to hit balloons with our ponytails before a game!” Each member of the team took turns trying to keep a balloon afloat using only their hair to lift it! Van Dahm even jokes that the team “tried on the yellow football jerseys that ended up going down to our shins! We came out looking like the football guys – it was really amusing.”

While the team faces many schools across the East Valley, they all have one rival in common they want to beat. “Chandler Prep!” Welter, Darling, and Van Dahm cry! Chandler Prep’s always been TPA’s biggest opponent, and the Lady Knights are not going down without a fight! Come support your Lady Knights at their rival game on Sept. 26 at 6 p.m., and watch our players show Chandler Prep what it really means to get served. GOOOO KNIGHTS!