It's not just a game.
At least not to the Dodge City High School Red Demons varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams.
Both are having stellar seasons — the varsity is 15-5 and the JV is 17-2 — and it has taken hard work, determination and some really good players to get them where they are.
"We set high expectations," DCHS varsity coach Kate Szymczak said. "We sat down and planned for every game that we'll play this year, and our girls decided what we we're going to do at every event.
"We have stood strong. We wanted to do a little better at the Liberal tournament, but we are redeeming ourselves in different places in the season, which is awesome. I still want to keep pushing, and we have a lot of victories ahead of us."
Szymczak said that her varsity team knows what it is there to do, and how to do it — and the varsity's record backs up her claim.
The Demons have the discipline it takes to continue winning, according to Szymczak, who added that instead of taking advantage of an an early release from practice Monday, the girls stayed 45 minutes longer and ran their own practice. That dedication seemingly proves they want to continue winning this season — and that commitment is exemplified by the captains to the last players off the bench.
"My captains do an excellent job," Szymczak said. "They lead by example as much as they can. But my other girls do such an awesome job of picking up the pieces that are missing. They can fill in that void if our leader steps down."
Szymczak says she looks to all her team leaders to get them through the remainder of the season, and hopefully on to postseason play.
The Demons have a goal of qualifying for at least the silver divison in the upcoming Joan Wells Tournament in Lawrence, but would rather go for the gold. Last year, they went home soon after pool play started, but are determined to not let that happen again.
For the Demons, this is a buildup for the stretch run of the season. They want to win the Western Athletic Conference crown. They want the sign in the gym to read, "2009 WAC Champions.
Szymczak said she is confident her girls can do it.
"Every time we sit down and look at video or go through stats, the girls see what needs to be done," Szymczak said "They can even tell me as a team. I can ask them after every drill what they got out of it and they can tell me. Those are the things that build champions on the floor.
"Step-by-step, game-by-game, they are doing that. That's how we are going to win."
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It's not just a game.
At least not to the Dodge City High School Red Demons varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams.
Both are having stellar seasons — the varsity is 15-5 and the JV is 17-2 — and it has taken hard work, determination and some really good players to get them where they are.
"We set high expectations," DCHS varsity coach Kate Szymczak said. "We sat down and planned for every game that we'll play this year, and our girls decided what we we're going to do at every event.
"We have stood strong. We wanted to do a little better at the Liberal tournament, but we are redeeming ourselves in different places in the season, which is awesome. I still want to keep pushing, and we have a lot of victories ahead of us."
Szymczak said that her varsity team knows what it is there to do, and how to do it — and the varsity's record backs up her claim.
The Demons have the discipline it takes to continue winning, according to Szymczak, who added that instead of taking advantage of an an early release from practice Monday, the girls stayed 45 minutes longer and ran their own practice. That dedication seemingly proves they want to continue winning this season — and that commitment is exemplified by the captains to the last players off the bench.
"My captains do an excellent job," Szymczak said. "They lead by example as much as they can. But my other girls do such an awesome job of picking up the pieces that are missing. They can fill in that void if our leader steps down."
Szymczak says she looks to all her team leaders to get them through the remainder of the season, and hopefully on to postseason play.
The Demons have a goal of qualifying for at least the silver divison in the upcoming Joan Wells Tournament in Lawrence, but would rather go for the gold. Last year, they went home soon after pool play started, but are determined to not let that happen again.
For the Demons, this is a buildup for the stretch run of the season. They want to win the Western Athletic Conference crown. They want the sign in the gym to read, "2009 WAC Champions.
Szymczak said she is confident her girls can do it.
"Every time we sit down and look at video or go through stats, the girls see what needs to be done," Szymczak said "They can even tell me as a team. I can ask them after every drill what they got out of it and they can tell me. Those are the things that build champions on the floor.
"Step-by-step, game-by-game, they are doing that. That's how we are going to win."
Junior Varsity: 17-2
The Red Demons have a plethora of numbers at the JV level, and they have rode that balance to a 17-2 record.
"JV turns over a lot of girls," JV coach Kate Vierthaler said. "We have a lot of girls that are capable of stepping up."
Vierthaler said her team is full of leaders. She said she hopes that leadership carries over to the varisty court next year, or remains with the JV team. She added that team the members have jelled at the right time, and that they all push each other in practice — not only vocally, but also by example.
"I can see the improvements they've made," Vierthaler said. " I'm excited about it because their improvements have exceeded my expectations."
Vierthaler said she wants to make sure her team plays to the best level it can, instead of playing down to opponents and giving up points.
All this teamwork sets the Demons up for a higher level of play, and both teams hope to see it in the near future.
Reach Susie Van Heule at (620) 408-9913 or e-mail her at susie.vanheule@dodgeglobe.com
