As the 2024-2025 volleyball season begins, Cape Coral High School’s volleyball teams set off with a renewed sense of energy and teamwork, ready to hit the courts and make their mark.
Since the new season, both Varsity and JV teams took on their rival, Mariner High School, and came home with the victory. Both teams ended strong with a 3-1 score.
Last year the Varsity and JV teams suffered a pretty hard season. However, both teams have come up with a good-looking winning streak only a few weeks into the season.
“I did alright last year and I think this year will be a lot better because I feel I have improved a lot,” expressed sophomore JV player Caden Birch.
Junior varsity player Marina Beaulieu agreed, stating, “I think everybody improved as well as I have improved since last season.”
Both teams have had an undoubtedly strong start to their season with JV 10-3 and Varsity 10-6.
Both teams are excited for this season because they feel like they have improved since last year, with some of the previous JV players moving up to varsity.
“I’m really excited for this season because it’s a new opportunity for me to play with high-level people since I moved up to varsity,” stated sophomore varsity player Celine Sanchez.
A big part of this year’s winning streak has been key players for both teams. Varsity’s key players for this year are Sophia Herrera and Amelia Wusterbarth. JV’s key players for this year are Nara Robledo, Allie Bice, Angela Del Valle, Cayden Birch, and Amir Havaj.
Going from middle school volleyball to high school volleyball can be a challenge due to the strong distinction between the two.
“When you get into high school volleyball you actually have rotations and you move around more and get into different spots which is different from middle school volleyball,” explained freshman JV player Amir Havaj.
While each player brings something special to the team, the coaches are also a key factor in their love for volleyball.
“Last year was my first year playing volleyball and I feel like I gained more knowledge playing under Coach Jamie Sanchez and Coach Benjamin Uphoff because they actually teach me and want me to improve,” stated freshman JV player Angela Del Valle. “I just love volleyball, it’s always been a part of me.”
The main thing that all teams need is a strong mentality of sportsmanship and resilience when playing a high school sport such as volleyball, let alone any sport for that matter.
“The best accomplishment from our team is that we’re able to stick together and pick each other up no matter how the loss is and are just able to continue our fight no matter what happens,” stated Sanchez, “It feels really good to be able to go against really talented girls from other schools.”
