Hogs attend nationals
Hot off a record-breaking season, the Javelina Beach Volleyball team made their way to Alabama last weekend on a mission to retrieve their second National Championship at the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) tournament.
With 21 wins this year, the Beach squad has already won more matches than any other in the school’s history, and the most since the team’s last national title run in 2018.
Prior to the trip, Coach Gary Payne said he felt good about the tournament and said the team has an opportunity, but the path would not be a cake walk.
“We’ve got some tough games right out of the gate and to stay in the gold bracket we’re going to have to beat a really good team. From there it’s up to them to perform and do what we’ve been working on all year,” he said. “The girls on the team have all worked hard, most have been in the program since they were freshmen. Seeing them grow throughout the years and get to this point is a testament to their hard work and dedication to the team.”
That dedication has shown and regardless of the outcome of the tournament the team is extremely proud of their season.
“It really comes down to the players performing well in games. I gave them the tools to make themselves better and they did that, and it showed,” Coach Payne concluded.
Senior Madelyn Wallace is proud of the team’s performance this season.
“It feels really good to set the record, especially doing it with all of these girls, some of whom I have played with all four years, and setting that precedent for the team for years to come,” Wallace said.
Wallace said the reason this team was able to excel was because “we have more girls on the team this year than we have in the past and that extra competition during practices really makes everyone want to step up – either to gain a spot or keep their spot in the lineup. So, I think that depth and competition during practice has really helped us out there.”
Taylor McCarthy is one of the team’s captains and said “21 wins means a lot,” and she gave credit to the leadership and culture in the program.
“We communicate constantly to keep up the discipline and urgency. I think they really respect us as captains and that plays a huge role in how they respond to us, and how we all work together as a team,” McCarthy said.
Looking toward the AVCA tournament Wallace said the team was prepared to “go in there and kick some butt, that’s all we have to do.”