For senior co-captain Jason Lee, hindsight is 20/20.

“In the beginning, it was frustrating and complicated,” said Lee of the volleyball season. “But in the end, which took us a while to get to, we obtained a perfect grip on teamwork. But by then the season was over.”

For the Varsity Spikers, the season did not go as expected. Three starting players left, and the new coach’s schedule left time for little preparation. Coach Alyson Randick ventured out on her first year, teaching two courses and heading four volleyball teams – all without a conference period. She held it all together, though, and she is thankful for the people who helped her through it.

The Spikers all started out as strangers and did not connect. This year’s Varsity team lacked the vocal leadership of last year’s team, which could have helped a lot. Before the season began, the team suffered from an inconvenience, but for a good cause: the girls’ Varsity basketball team, which advanced to the City Invitational Championship, prevented the boys from getting into the gym because of extended practices. Thus, the volleyball team had only one week to prepare. Departing Varsity members hope that next season’s team will get a head start on communication skills, and then everything else will follow.

Now that the season is over, returnees are already beginning to gear up for next year. Randick plans to have the Spikers meet at the beach over the summer for professional practice and fun. She’s also excited because a lot of her Lady Spikers are playing club volleyball, which will improve their skills and leadership for next year. So far, everything is looking up – with summer practice, only one class to plan for next year, and returning help from alumni and Junior Varsity Coach Emilio Alvarado.

“Now that I have my first year of teaching under my belt,” said Randick, “I’ll have more time and energy to be a better teacher and coach and still have fun.”

Randick will hold girls’ volleyball tryouts on Thursday, May 18, for any interested athletes.