Advice From Fellow Players 2027 Addition

We wanted to put together an article that allows players to help players. This is not an easy sport, especially if done at a high level. The amount of skill it requires to pass a ball with no spin coming at 30mph or timing an up tempo set correctly so that you can properly make contact with the ball in such a way that it goes cross court into the area you are aiming for. There is also the way to handle teammates, handle your coaches and how we handle both failures and success. We have asked a few players who play alongside you HOW THEY DO IT. Thank you to those players taking the time to help others.   [player_tooltip player_id='610402' first='Aliyah' last='Owens'] Setter/Outside Hitter for Broken Arrow:   Why is your position so important to the game as a whole?   “This is my first season focusing completely on being an outside hitter, so I'm still learning a lot, but I've realized how important the position is to the flow of the game. Outsides touch the ball in so many different situations, serve receive, defense, and putting down balls, so even while I'm growing into the role, I know I am able to make a real impact. For me, being valuable isn't only about getting kills; it's about being steady, adaptable, and eager to learn so I can help my team in every rotation. The position pushes me to improve every day, and I like knowing that my growth helps our team overall.“ What's a strategy you use when taking in and applying the coaching you receive?   ”When I get feedback from my coaches, the biggest thing I remind myself is that they've been through this before, and they really want to help me be successful. We all have the same goal in a match and I appreciate the feedback to help me grow in my position and as a player. I usually pick one or two specific things they mention and really lock in on those during practice so I don't get overwhelmed trying to change everything at once. It helps me stay focused, and it shows them I'm trying to grow and use what they teach me.” How do you go about being a great teammate?   ”For me, being a good teammate means showing up for the people around me, no matter what's happening in the game. I try to be someone who brings encouragement, energy, and a positive mindset, because I know how much that can help a team. Whether it's hyping someone up, giving a quick reset, or always being steady so they can rely on me, I want my teammates to feel supported. Focusing on lifting them up also helps me stay grounded and move past my own mistakes. At the end of the day, I want to be someone everyone feels comfortable going to for support or confidence.”   [player_tooltip player_id='750474' first='Mackenzie' last='Manning']: Setter for Piedmont:   Why is your position so important to the game as a whole? “As a setter, I think my position is important because I'm involved in every play and help control the flow of the offense. A setter works to put every hitter in the best position possible and make every ball better. Without a strong setter, a team can feel unstable and struggle to run an effective offense. Setters also help keep the team confident, connected, and organized on the court.” What's a strategy you use when taking in and applying the coaching you receive? “One strategy I use when applying coaching is focusing on one thing at a time instead of trying to fix everything all at once. Breaking feedback down into smaller goals makes it feel less overwhelming and allows me to really focus on improving each skill. I've found that when I take that approach, I grow faster because I'm able to fully hone in on and perfect one skill before moving on to the next.” How do you go about being a great teammate? “I think being a great teammate means building strong connections with your teammates and creating trust on and off the court. Especially as a setter, it's really important that everyone trusts you and feels comfortable giving you feedback. I try to stay energetic throughout games, celebrate the little points, and always support my teammates no matter the situation. I think bringing positive energy and being dependable helps build confidence within the team.”   [player_tooltip player_id='285769' first='Grace' last='Baughman']:   Why is your position so important to the game as a whole? “Being a setter in important to the game as a whole because we are the central nervous system of the game. We control the tempo by the speed of where we set the ball as well as the position of the set in relationship to the hitters and the opposing blockers, and my ultimate job is to make my hitters look good.” What's a strategy you use when taking in and applying the coaching you receive? “When it comes to being coached, sometimes I hear something I may not want to hear in the moment but I just keep an open mind to it because I know it's not personal and it's just business.” How do you go about being a great teammate? “I be a great teammate by recognizing my teammates that come in and out of the court, I'm always cheering and applauding their effort, and encouraging my hitters to do the best and my passers to just get me a high ball and it doesn't have to be perfect. I try to make sure we all have the next ball mentality and to be in the present and not the past. When I'm not in the game I try my best to be the loudest cheerleader for my teammates.”

We wanted to put together an article that allows players to help players. This is not an easy sport, especially if done at a high level. The amount of skill it requires to pass a ball with no spin coming at 30mph or timing an up tempo set correctly so that you can properly make contact with the ball in such a way that it goes cross court into the area you are aiming for. There is also the way to handle teammates, handle your coaches and how we handle both failures and success. We have asked a few players who play alongside you HOW THEY DO IT. Thank you to those players taking the time to help others.