The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
-by Head Coach Dakota Lafferty
As our team nears the end of the regular season, one thing that has separated us from other teams is our energy and team camaraderie. Our team can’t attribute our success to any one player; we have 13 girls filling unique roles that have helped us stay confident in pressure situations. The attitude of this team is selfless but competitive. They hate to lose more than they love to win and do everything with a sense of urgency.
Our girls are also very mature with recognizing when a teammate is struggling, making it their goal to pick them up through positive encouragement. With volleyball being a race to score 25 points, confidence is a huge aspect in any team being successful.
This particular group of girls has done a great job of striving for improvement rather than creating a pressure to win, and that has eliminated their fear of failure in the process. Each week teammates are reminding one another, after mistakes, to keep moving forward with enthusiasm. Their optimism and determined attitude are contagious and has made coaching them so much fun.
Our team is full of excitement and liveliness. There is never a dull moment, and I feel like I am always laughing and having fun. -Kate DeSotel
My favorite part of being on the team is not only the sport but it’s also the girls that we play with. We challenge each other every day at practice. We always give 100% effort in what we do. -A.J. Cook
Bringing energy from the start and wanting to win. -Maddie Quesenberry
Giving 100% effort at practices has helped us, and the weight room has a big impact on the power we have. Also, having relationships with the girls helps us play better because we connect more. -A.J. Cook
We all like to make things a competition and we know there is a reward to strive for in post season. -Maddie Quesenberry
I stay motivated by just by working hard and focusing on big things for the team. -Ali Lopez
I think the way to stay motivated in practice is to keep the mindset “there is always room for improvement.” As we get further into the season, at practice we just need to keep this in mind and keep getting better. We also need to keep in mind practice is how we will accomplish our goals for the season. -Kate DeSotel
The weight room has helped all of us become strong in many ways by helping us jump higher and hit stronger. -Kennedy Artman
Our team has multiple weapons that can be used, not just one. -Maddie Quesenberry
We work well as a team, pick each other up, and celebrate each other’s success. -Kennedy Artman
I think what separates us is how close we are. We have no drama. We are all super close and we’re each other’s best friends. We hang out outside of volleyball and include everyone. -Ali Lopez
Our bond off the court separates us from other teams. We are such good friends outside of school. We will hang out together outside of school and sports and we grow closer as our friendships go. -A.J. Cook
The team being close is a huge advantage for us. We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which helps us in the game. We’ve been able to bond and build the trust between each other to where there are no doubts. -Maddie Quesenberry
Our team’s closeness on and off the court has helped a significant amount. I think that because we are so close off the court, we are able to know each other’s personality, and be able to sense when someone is down and be able to pick them up on the court. -Kate DeSotel
I love to work on angle passing because it helps me tremendously in a game dig more balls and give our hitters a chance to hit. -Kennedy Artman
My favorite drill is serving and serve receive. It may sound boring but it truly helps us get better. -A.J. Cook
I love the energy and enthusiasm that comes with volleyball. Volleyball has so much excitement and that’s why I love it so much. -Kate DeSotel
I love that in order to accomplish success in volleyball, you have to work as a TEAM. -Kennedy Artman
Having a coach that wants what’s best for us while pushing us to be the best we can be. -Kennedy Artman
Our greatest strengths, I think, are how close we are and how much we know about each other. -Ali Lopez
The team’s greatest strength is our chemistry. Sure, we have the hitters who can put the ball down and the passer who can pass it to the setter, but we all get along so well which is a major contributor. -Maddie Quesenberry
Usually before games we get a speaker to hype ourselves up and dance and sing along, and sometimes someone comes in before a big game and gives us a hype up speech. -Ali Lopez
We go into the locker room and listen to music to pump us up. We always get excited to play. -A.J. Cook
There are 2 regular season games left next week. Thursday is our Senior Night at home vs. Mendon Unity. Our girls will travel to Canton High School on 10/24 to play the winner of Farmington and Canton for the first round of Regionals at 6 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Rick Goettsche
“The defensive specialists of this year’s team include Corin Robinson, Abi White, A.J. Cook, Kaelyn Ferrill, Ali Lopez, and Kate DeSotel.”