As the new school year begins, we see new people, new classes, and new teachers. Some teams get a new coaching staff as well. This volleyball season, we introduced two new coaches, varsity head coach Olivia Scott as well as junior varsity coach Greer Josselyn.
Scott, who you may know as your math teacher or even the softball coach, is now your new volleyball coach. Playing at both the high school and collegiate level, Scott has loads of experience playing, as well as experience coaching at Whiteville High School. When asked to describe her coaching style, Scott used the word “enthusiastic.”
“I would describe it that way because I try to be positive, but I want them to know that I am here to support them, and they should be excited about what they’re doing and accomplishing, just like I am,” said Scott.
Scott is joined alongside Josselyn. While Josselyn is new to the volleyball aspect of coaching, she has experience coaching both travel and high school soccer and has watched and learned the game of volleyball all of her life.
“I’m very adaptive,” said Josselyn. “I will push the girls to be better players along with better people, and I have grown great connections with the girls already.”
With new coaches, there can often come many challenges, but Scott and Josselyn are ready to deal with whatever comes their way.
“Parents are one of the hardest challenges, in my opinion,” said Scott. “Parents often believe they know what’s going on, when in reality they are not at practice and there’s just a lot of miscommunication going on between them and the girls.”
Between parents and miscommunication, another issue is the conference West is put in. With Hoggard, Laney, and Topsail being our most talented rivals, there are many hard teams to face.
“I believe it is often hard to keep the girls in high spirits,” said Josselyn.”We are in a really hard conference; going against all the Wilmington schools can be a difficult task.”
From a player’s standpoint, it can also be very challenging when a new coach comes along. They work all season with a coach; they learn to adjust to how the coach wants things done and played. Then by next season, there’s a new coach.
Senior Aubrey Brown knows exactly this feeling, as she has had a new coach each season ever since getting here her sophomore year. Same as the other seniors, Lily Romero, Jayden Stout and Brooklyn Coble.
“It’s definitely been hard to adapt,” said Brown. “It’s hard to have a flow of things sometimes when there is always change happening.”
Despite the constant change and challenges, the team has already seen great improvement over the years. Last season, the team made it to the playoffs for the first time in eight years and hopes to go to the playoffs this season as well. They are already making great strides to do so, winning four games already this season. Junior Varsity is also doing well, doubling their win record from last year so far.
This week the team has two big games. The first home against North Brunswick was on September the tenth and then on September twelfth at South Brunswick.
“I’m really excited for the rest of the season,” said Brown. “I love playing with the team; they are my family. Coach Scott and Josseyln are cool too.”
