Volleyball players at Bellevue West warm-up before the big game.

Warming up was essential for

playing any sport. This was no different

in volleyball. For sophomore Hannah

Dubas, warming up involved music.

“[Before a game] I go to Pandora

and listen to pre-game hip-hop and rap,”

Dubas said.

For junior Sage Meyer, getting

focused was the most important part.

“I just get in the zone and ready

for whatever comes at me,” Meyer said.

Meyer said she had to get fo-

cused because her position was outside

hitter.

“You block and hit the balls that

aren’t perfectly passed, so focus is defi-

nitely required,” Meyer said.

Prepping for the game involved

spending time with fellow teammates.

“When we have home games

we all go to Panera and eat together,”

junior Emily Pojar said.

For senior Michaela Viloria

team bonding also involved having fun.

“Sometimes before a game we

blare our music really loud, and have

random dance parties,” Viloria said.

This form of warming up was

what helped the team to prepare for a

game.

“Without warm-ups, the first

half of our games would be horrible,”

senior Kate Liveringhouse said.

A huge part of warming up in

volleyball was actually due to what

happened before the season.

“Summer workouts definitely

show everyone’s strengths and weak-

nesses,” Meyers said.

Summer workouts lasted

throughout the summer and involved

agility, speed and strength workouts.

“We were lucky this year be-

cause we had such natural talent so

summer workouts lasted for about a

month,” Viloria said.

For Dubas, it was what got her

on varsity volleyball as a sophomore.

“During the summer I never half-

did anything. I consistently worked hard

to prove myself,” Dubas said.

For these girls, warming up con-

tributed to more than just volleyball.

“It has helped us stay in shape,

and help save our bodies from the ef-

fects of playing volleyball. Honestly it

is what keeps us playing on the court,”

Liveringhouse said.

Seniors Christian Menard, Jessica Talbot and Kate Liveringhouse celebrate after their victory against Gross Catholic High School. Menard believed volleyball

players needed “focus, natural athleticism and overall enjoyment of volleyball.” S. Cowgill

by Serena Cowgill

Acing the competition

1. Seniors Kate Liveringhouse, Michaela Viloria, Jessica Talbott,

Haley Nast, Julie Targy and Kristian Menard warm up before a

game. “Warming up involves stretching, running and practicing passing

and serving,” Liveringhouse said. E. Brandon

2. Seniors Kristian Menard and Kate Liveringhouse set the

ball over the net in the West/East volleyball game. “I started

volleyball because it looked like something fun and chal-

lenging,” Liveringhouse said. H. Stolze

3. Sophomore Hannah Dubas spikes to East. This

was Dubas’ first year on varsity. “In order for me

to be a sophomore on varsity it took hard work

and dedication during summer workouts,” Dubas

said. H. Stolze

4. Senior Michaela Viloria spikes the ball

over the net at the Bellevue invitational.

“I’ve been playing volleyball since I was

in second grade, and I still have the

same love for it,” Viloria said. E.

Brandon

5. Seniors Kate Livering-

house, Jessica Talbott,

Haley Nast, Julie Targy

and Christian Menard

exhibit good sports-

manship after playing

the Monarchs. E.

Brandon

1 2

3 4

5

fifty-n

ine

What’s

your

favorite

food to

eat before a

game?

Italian because it’s

energizing.

What kind of music do

you listen to before you

play?

Upbeat pop tracks

Senior

Kristian Menard

“Volleyball taught

me that hardwork

and dedication re-

ally do pay off.”