The year was good, the year was great, we can only look back, and celebrate.
by Andrew Briss
photo by Kevin Fleming
This year the Spartan Volleyball team proved themselves to be highly competitive and full of spirit, capable of overcoming on-court communication challenges and posting fear in the hearts of any opponent.
October 25th, 2008, The Thomas Jefferson Spartans hosted the 4A district volleyball competition, and being ranked number one, the Spartans were picked to make it to regionals. The Lady Spartans played their first match against Arvada, underestimating their competition and losing to Arvada 3 – 1 in set counts; however, the girls had a chance to win their way back into action by playing Windsor High School, but yet again fell behind and lost 3 – 0. With regionals out of their future, the girls packed up their gear and reflected on their awesome season.
Andrea Shacklock stated, “Next year, should be even better. We are losing one key player, but hope to gain fresh new talent. Looking back on this year, I would say it was up and down…but as a whole, it was fulfilling.”
Junior Paige Wilson’s perspective on the year was, “From start to finish, the season ended on a good note. Looking back at the beginning of the season, through the end, I realize we finished great by overcoming tough obstacles and team problems.”
On October 15, 2008, the Spartan Volleyball Squad took on the Patriots of George Washington at George Washington High School. The Spartans brought up key players from junior varsity including Lauren Rowe, for her down-low digging skills, and Paige Milstein for her exceptional serving for the showdown with G.W.
Milstein said, “ I am so excited for districts this year. The team looks great, and I am going to bring my ‘A’ game.”
Rowe also made a comment about districts: “The anticipation is killing me. We have a great chance to win districts and make it to regionals for the first time in 15 years. This is our year!” Milstein and Rowe were put in at key moments in the game, helping the Spartans to rally back from being down two games to one and force the contest to five games. In the fifth game, temptation and lack of communication blanketed the Spartans and gave the match to the Patriots in the fifth game 15 – 11. Wilson said, “We made a lot of mistakes at crucial times during the game. Also, communication was lacking the whole volleyball game.”
Districts determine who makes it to regionals, which in turn leads teams to the state competition. Districts are divided into more skill-level based competitions and regionals are the winners of districts. If a team makes it far in districts it has the chance to compete for the state title of volleyball champs in Colorado.
At Denver East High School October 17, 2008, the Lady Spartans came into the match with their heads high, ready to rebound against the Angels of East. In the first set the Spartans played their hearts out, yet, the Angels proved themselves to be superior, winning the first set 25 – 18. Shacklock stated, “The first set we played great, but after losing that game we lost focus, and didn’t work as hard as we should have as a team.” Due to the lack of focus against the Angels, the practices became more mental than physical. Shacklock said, “The coaches are trying to teach us, not work us.”
To all the Lady Spartans of the 2008 volleyball year, good job and a job well done. Next year’s team is going to be unstoppable and TJ is looking forward to seeing a totally refurbished, high-spirited team comparable to this year.
