Senior Lucia Olivera gives second-grader Nora Goodman a high five.
The volleyball team started the season 6-1, with wins over Westminster, Forsyth Central, North Atlanta, Holy Innocents, Chapel Hill and Langston Hughes and a loss to Mt. Pisgah.
Since the GHSA dropped the 7-AAAAAA classification, the Knights are now in Region 4-AAAA, where they will face some challenging new opponents like Pace Academy. Senior middle Kate Rebillot said the team will work to compete aggressively against top competition.
“The new region definitely brings some challenges, especially Pace, which has one of the best volleyball programs in the state, but I think we can hold our own against them,” Rebillot said. “We’re going to have to work hard for it.”
Head coach Sandi Stein said Pace would underestimate Midtown, which would lead to a hard-fought game.
“With the new region, we have Pace, whose coach was national coach of the year last year, and they’re always good,” Stein said. “But I think they’re going to overlook us, so I think it’s going to be a good game for us.”
Junior outside hitter Brennan Fritts said the team has changed its style of play due to the loss of older players from last year.
“We lost four seniors, including our starting outside hitter (Savannah Markham). She was a key part of our team, so losing her definitely affected the team. However, I think everyone has gotten used to not having her anymore and everyone is ready to fill her role.”
The team consists of a freshman, Grail Johnson, and four sophomores, all of whom, according to Rebillot, are proving to be a positive addition to the team.
“All of the younger students seem to have a good attitude so far and are willing to work hard for playing time,” Rebillot said. “The team already seems to be working well together and I think everyone will have a successful season.”
Johnson said she felt very welcome on the team, despite the pressure that came with being the team’s youngest player.
“Being the only freshman on the varsity team is definitely tough because every time I step on the court I try to show that I belong, but everyone is very nice and helpful; they know I’m learning and help me with whatever I need,” Johnson said. “I really believe that I could go to anyone if I needed help (because) everyone is super supportive.”
As a team, Fritts said they have worked on switching from defense to offense. Fritts is also working on their stability during rotation.
“(As a team) we’ve spent a lot of time working on our defense and receiving the serve,” Fritts said. “I think that should give us an advantage because you can’t have a great offense if you don’t have good defense. This season I really want to work on my all-around game. I’ve always been an aggressive player. This season I want to be more consistent and work on my back line.”
Stein wants to improve both in total wins and in the stats table this season.
“Two goals are to win the regional championship and the state championship,” Stein said. Then there are other accomplishments we could have that may not be tangible. We want our team to get to a batting average of .350 and above and improve serve reception.”
Johnson said she is looking forward to playing at the high school level and continuing to bond with her teammates.
“I’m excited to get better and play volleyball at a higher level,” Johnson said. “All my hard work has paid off and I’m so happy. This season is going to be great and my teammates are so much fun and extremely supportive.”
Since this is Stein’s final season as a high school athletic trainer, she hopes to bring home the state championship title.
“I mean (winning state is) like winning the Olympics,” Stein said. “It’s something you can only dream about and pray about and work hard enough and hope that you can make the final and just give it your all.”
