GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM, ON THE PATH TO SUCCESS

Opinions surrounded the Girls Volleyball team as coaches implemented a new training system that is helping the team get better, uniting and disciplining them more.

This system has been used in The Columbus School during Polideportivo hours from Monday to Friday, and during games on the weekends. The system consists of separating the team into two smaller teams for several reasons.

“The main reason to divide the group was the amount of people that were registered…Also a big group of girls from 9th grade have made it in the team and for us it was important to give both of the teams a separate space.” Anibal Betancur, HS Girls Volleyball Coach, said.

There are other factors which can make players go from one team to another. Coaches are focusing on these factors to motivate the team but also to show them that they can be “replaced” or “promoted”.

“As the training passes, there is another selection item that is the technical level and commitment. Another item is the academic and disciplinary part … people who have serious academic problems what we do is put them in the training team because it is a school norm ” Betancur mentioned.

Opinions varied at first. Some thought it was not going to work but others really liked it. With persistence, coaches Anibal Betancur and Jiovana Castañeda have worked hard to make it enjoyable.

“At first it did not seem so good because I wanted to start with everyone having the same opportunity to train on the same team but now I realize that [with this system] you have the motivation to improve and have that idea that if I get better I will get a reward and pass to the “better” group and if I am being irresponsible and do not fulfill I will be passed to the other team,” 11th grade Team Member, Pamela Raseni commented.

Seniors, as they are older and much more experienced, have high expectations for 9th graders. The new system was used as a way to ease the 9th graders into getting more comfortable with their new team members and it showed results.

“I think it’s very good, to feel more confident about the level that one is in. [With the seniors] I feel better because you are already with your team to then go and have more confidence slowly with the others,” Amalia Gallego, 9th grade team member, said.

Even though the seniors were already used to training in a certain way, this system showed positive results. They saw improvements to problems that without the system wouldn’t be working as much to train hard for binationals.

“It seems better because it gives the opportunity for many more girls to train in a more separate space and that there is more equipment (balls) and space for all of us.” Senior and sub captain, Laura Santamaria commented.