By Tyce Dishman
Inexperienced. Undisciplined. Immature. These are all words that people tend to use when describing freshmen athletes.
However, this year the volleyball team is starting to prove these descriptions wrong.
Of the 21 players on the Lady Eagles’ roster, 17 players fall into the category of freshmen and sophomores. As many as four freshmen have been on the varsity court at the same time this season.
“Our freshmen dressing varsity and playing varsity have played at the highest club level,” varsity volleyball head coach Kylie Johnson said. “So it makes it very different but still a very competitive atmosphere.”
These young players present many challenges for the dynamic of the team.
“They have to be accountable for their actions and count their reps, making sure they’re not cutting corners, and you have to be disciplined because I can’t watch all 20 of them at once,” Johnson said.
With a majority of the players being freshmen and sophomores, the team is trying to set themselves up for long-term success, similar to the perennial success of the Yorktown Tigers for volleyball in this area.
With such a young team there are only four upperclassmen to show the way. One of these players who is guiding them is not new to the program.
Junior Kate Manor is one of the team’s key contributors. After Manor played last year as a defensive specialist, coach Johnson decided to make an important change to the team’s dynamic .
At the start of this year Manor found herself in a new role as the team’s main setter, but was not discouraged. She kept a positive attitude while embracing her new role on the team. Manor said she was prepared to do whatever helps the team.
Also with a whatever helps the team attitude is freshman Paislee Terry. Terry plays as an outside hitter for the Lady Eagles.
Although this is her first varsity season she’s been in big moments before with her club team in the Munciana program.
Terry played with the Peppers and won a national title in Orlando, Fla., in 2022.
“There is a lot of pressure that comes with being on varsity as a freshman, but I have confidence that my team will support me,” Terry said.
However, Terry is not the only freshman Eagle with this attitude.
There are three more freshmen who see varsity playing time. Those players are Sophie Overholt, Kinley Davis and Kyra Murry.
Coach Johnson explained that the team is so young because some older players have decided not to play this year.
“I think that we have a very committed younger group and as the older groups have gone through (some) have found that they don’t want that level of commitment,” Johnson said. “So then they just tend to fall off sophomore to junior year and they want to be more involved in after-school activities and have the opportunity to have a job so volleyball is not on their priority list.”
The level of commitment that she wants from her players is held at a high level. Due to these standards and her aggressive coaching style many players have decided to no longer wear the eagle on the back of their jersey.
“I think when I started coaching I was really abrasive and aggressive and in your face yelling a lot,” Johnson said. “I think the girls would still feel that way, but I don’t feel that I’ve been as aggressive as I have been, especially after becoming a mom. You just change and kind of evolve.”
The intensity that she brings to the game may turn off some players. Others believe that Johnson is what Delta needs. They like the intensity and the pressure that she brings to the table.
“Deep down I really know that Kylie wants the best for us,” senior Addie Phillippe said. “I know that she is going to get it out of us one way or another, but ultimately she wants the best for us.”
Phillippe is a large part of the Eagles’ team this year. She was also affected by the decision coach Johnson made to change Manor to a setter.
Phillippe has been the team’s main hitter this season due to short personnel at the hitting position.
The mentality and hard work that the team has displayed so far this year is starting to pay off. The Eagles have been growing stronger as evidenced by a five-game victory over Pendleton Heights on Sept. 10 and a three-game sweep of defending 2A state champion Muncie Burris on Sept. 11.
Since these victories they have played two more impressive games, falling just short to the undefeated New Palestine Dragons and the Millers of Noblesville.
The Eagles are looking to close the season on a high note with six matches to go before the postseason.
