Maidens finish in region quarters with district, bi-district and area titles
District MVP– Senior outside hitter Taylor Roberts goes up for the kill against Bushland in the region quarterfinal game on Nov. 7. For the second year, Roberts took the most valuable player award for District 2-4A.
The Maiden volleyball team ended its season in the region quarterfinals, falling to defending state champion Bushland in a three-game match on Nov. 7.
“Against Greenwood (area) we did a good job of going out and doing what we had to do,” senior middle blocker Abby Bandy said. “I think we relaxed when it came to Bushland.”
The Maidens made it three-deep in the play offs after a transition to Coach Traci Pierce at the end of last season.
“The school district has been so good,” Pierce said. “They believed in me to do well with this group of girls, and I think that helped the girls see they have me, a school and a community that believes in them.”
The Maidens capitalized on the new situation.
“It required us to adjust to everything new,” senior libero Alyssa Wade said. “It was also an opportunity to take it head on and get better.”
Senior setter Jodie Vaughn found the transition easy.
“She [Pierce] opened up easily and didn’t reject us,” Vaughn said. “It was really easy to adjust to her coaching style.”
Pierce knew the team had to adjust to her way of coaching and was not afraid to take on the task.
“Every coach is different,” Pierce said. “I think the girls adjusting to how I see the game was our weakness at the beginning. In the end it became one of our strengths.”
The Maidens went 10-0 in district and 38-6 overall.
“It was our goal we had set at the beginning of the year,” Wade said. “It motivated us to work harder because the perfect [district] record hadn’t been done in a really long time, so it was something we all wanted to accomplish as a team.”
Having the play-off run cut short was disappointing especially for team veterans.
“As always, it’s hard losing,” Vaughn said. “I just wish I hadn’t taken it for granted because now it’s sinking in. It’s my senior year. It’s over.”
Throughout the season, the Maidens built chemistry over team meals and activities like decorating pumpkins–just spending quality time together–which added to the feeling of family.
“I hope the girls know life isn’t just about winning and losing,” Pierce said. “It’s about building relationships along the way.”
