Will the varsity volleyball team stick to tradition?

Does the Gaithersburg High School varsity volleyball team have a chance at winning states’ one more time?

These are the question on many of Gaithersburg High School students’ minds. The volleyball team is back again and possibly stronger than ever. This fall, GHS students can experience amazing games on behalf of the Lady Trojans.

Last year’s varsity volleyball team won a state championship with leaders Amanda Krampf, Alyssa Mendoza, and Sarah Fillmore. However, with the absence of those star players, many are questioning if GHS will be able to make a state title happen one more time.

Senior Brigitte Fabre, who is starting on the spiking line, is very optimistic.

“We do not take anything for granted. We have a lot more talent and potential to offer than any of the other schools.”

One important asset that the majority of the team is going after is unity. Senior Kaitlin Straiter believes that in order to have an opportunity at a state championship, it is important to work together.

“I think we could win states again but I don’t want to be overly confident. I think we need to grow together as a team. All the kids that have moved up from JV aren’t as experienced or involved as we were last year so I think that if we grow together as a team, we may definitely have a chance of reaching states one more time.”

Speaking of players that have moved up from JV, Bianca Livioco and Jessica Moy are two remarkable freshmen that have been brave enough to move up to varsity volleyball. Senior Tasha Young describes the freshmen duo as “a great contribution to our defense.”

Jessica Moy, who believes she has received a lot of support from Young in developing her skills, describes the experience as “amazing.”

“I did not expect to make varsity at all. We are bringing it together and getting to know each other better. The team’s relationship is getting stronger, but we still need to learn each other’s tendencies better.”

Biana Livioco, on the other hand, was somewhat scared to be a part of the varsity team. “I was intimidated because these girls have been playing for so long. Now, they’re like family. I consider them like sisters.”

Another great and dynamic duo are Seniors Erin Mason and Kaitlin Straiter. These two girls, in particular, are very in synch. They have memorized each other’s tendencies very well and are continuously present in spiking the ball.

The four seniors on this year’s volleyball team have improved immensely since last season. A very proud Coach Staymates recognizes this progress. “We are not as messy; there have been less mental errors. We have come together a lot faster than I anticipated.”

However, when asked about their chances for a state title, she answered, “Always a chance for states. Always. We will have to see how we develop along the way. We have come together as a team. We have had freshmen step up from JV and we’ve combined our talent, entertainment, and we want to keep up with that tradition.”

At one of the season opening home games, the volleyball team was able to show off what they were known for: their rapid skills. GHS students were mesmerized by the velocity and talent of the team.

Senior Colin Mace, part of the famous boys’ cheerleading squad, was not surprised by such amazing talent. “Was this a game? I didn’t see any other teams on the floor except for our LADY TROJANS!”

If you have not heard, at every game, a group of energetic and hilarious guys are the cheerleader boys; they pump up the crowd with cheers, dances, and brilliant moves.

Cheerleader Senior Zack Koval has a strong belief that the star volleyball team has great chances for making states. “We are definitely going to compete in states. Why? Because we’re Gaithersburg!” (Koval is recruiting boys to come out and become one of the cheerleader boys.)

These brilliant ladies were able to receive a state title last year and with a lot of effort and will, another state title will hopefully await them at the end of their journey.

So everyone run out, find out the team’s schedule for the season, and attend one of these spectacular games.

These games are filled with mind-boggling excitement, rush, incredible talent, wonderful skills, and in the words of a famous cheer from the GHS cheerleader boys, they are just “DYNAMITE!”