The last several years have been exciting ones for Storm King Athletics, especially for the girls JV and varsity volleyball teams. Last fall, both squads ended a power-packed season on the highest possible note when the varsity team became one of SKS’ five HVAL champions that swept the conference in all five sports offered during the fall season. The win was the School’s first championship title for volleyball in 15 years and a benchmark for the team.

 

 

Fast-forward to the start of the fall 2019 season; the team’s positivity and determination was evident right out of the box when they beat archrival Faith Christian Academy 3-0 in their season opener on Wednesday, September 11. Coach Jeanette McMahon was ecstatic about the win and about her team’s progress since she began coaching at SKS four years ago. “Beating FCA out of the gate was a very important accomplishment for the girls. Historically, we have always lost to FCA in the first round. The team has worked hard for the past several years and it was an important win for them. It also helped to set the tone for the rest of the season,” she explained.

 

According to McMahon, the team has the advantage of being, as she calls it, a ‘building team.’ “The loss of several of our senior players last spring didn’t affect the rest of the team too much. Many girls this year have a higher level of individual skills than in previous years. Also, we have juniors and seniors with a lot of accumulated skills and our younger girls also have great skills. JV has been a great feed into the varsity. We combine practices; we put three or four teams on the practice roster, so we do a round-robin so all teams get a chance to play.  Running our JV squad in parallel always guarantees a strong line-up the following season,” she continued.

“We are also lucky to have some great new talent on the roster. Five new team members have been playing consistently well along with five returning players to give the team significant depth this year,” explained McMahon. “Seniors Jojo Gong and Morgan Papera are our varsity captains, while junior Amy Wang is the JV captain. Newcomers Seina Kusunoki ’20 and Sude Bakal ’21 are superb setters, and Zoe Buddie ’22 and Jojo attack the ball every chance they can. They are also very versatile players and that is a big advantage. They can move to the ball, communicate well with the hitters, and they also have a great back row game. Senior Rory Tobin is also a key returning player and has come back strong following a pre-season injury,” explained Coach McMahon.

 

 

Along with consistent practice and working on individual skills like setting and serving, the team works on building both physical and mental stamina and a positive attitude. “We have a new and interesting approach this year,” continued Coach McMahon. “I attended a class on mindfulness for leaders and teachers this past summer at the Garrison Institute.  I’ve always believed in the benefits of meditation, so I decided to incorporate it into the girls’ routine. Now, before each game and practice, we do deep breathing exercises together. For example, in our home game against Kent, I took the team downstairs to the wrestling room so we could meditate for 10 minutes before hitting the court. This allowed them to relax, breathe, shut off their brains, and be more focused during the game. It is also a great way to combat shaky hands when they serve,” she explained.

 

 

With an undefeated record in the HVAL, and only one loss this season, the team is set to clinch the top seed in the upcoming HVAL Championship Playoffs. The girls are also under strong consideration for a top seed in the NEPSAC Tournament later this fall. “Our success means a lot, but more importantly, our team and each individual player exemplify good sportsmanship,” continued Coach McMahon. “I’m a big supporter of positivity, so I was very happy when I heard the School teamed up with the Positive Coaching Alliance this year. Every player has a story. As a coach, you have to relate to them, and in turn, the players must relate to others on their team, and on the opposing team. Positivity always brings the best results, win or lose. At the end of each season, our girls work to become better players, better athletes, and most importantly, better people.”