Wayland’s girls’ volleyball players are bumping, setting, and spiking their way into a new season. Coach Donna Blight leads the Varsity girls, and assisting her as captains are Lauren Vachon, Nicole Jenkins, and Brianna Ramsey. As for the JV team, run by Coach Flava Garthright, captains have yet to be named. The Varsity team will have 12 players, including 2 freshmen, while the JV team consists of 14 players (7 freshmen and 7 upperclassmen).

This is the first season for which the players will have the newly renovated field house, which is equipped with two new courts and a weight room. About the new facilities Coach Blight said, “I am optimistic because last season we were on the road the whole and this time we have a home court and lots of returning players.”

This season holds a fifteen game schedule. During the week on non-game days, the team has a two-hour practice session after school in the field house where both teams simulate game-like situations, and run through other drills to help them increase the accuracy, height, and power of the ball.

The teams also hit the weight room to help them build the muscles needed for well-played volleyball. They work out on the leg press, tricep pull, and chest press machines.

So far, the teams have already played two games. The first was a home game against Newton South, and the second was an away game against Boston Latin. Both of those games resulted in losses, but the players are still feeling confident about the rest of the season.

Player Alyssa Church-Smith said, “I’m a little nervous, but I feel that everything will come around; it’ll work out.” “I’m looking forward to this season, and hopefully going to tournament,” added teammate Rebecca Kravetz.

The volleyball team has a big rivalry match against Weston on Thursday the 17th. It is a home game, with the varsity team playing at 4, and the JV playing at 5:15. The players invite everyone to come, watch, and cheer them on.