By Gavin Tilson
Being under new leadership this season, the Hi-Line Volleyball Team looks to have a successful season, but maybe not in the way you think. It’s a very underclassmen-heavy team this year with twelve underclassmen and only five upperclassmen; but the team is “full of young talent potential” according to Quinten Lootnjer, the head volleyball coach.
Lootnjer says that his main goal for the season is to improve on being a more competitive team while fighting for wins and not giving up. He also wants players to improve on all-around volleyball skills. The team will have their fair share of challenges which include, “navigating building upon the program,” according to Loontjer. He says that this will happen in phases: “Learning to be competitive, learning how to win, learning how to win consistently, and learning how to expect to win.”
Lootnjer’s advice for any younger students or anyone that is participating in volleyball is, “Show up, put in the work, do the little things well.”
Loontjer mentioned that conditioning is an important part of being a good athlete.
“Some kids don’t take the conditioning and lifting seriously until it’s too late. Do that so you aren’t having to catch up,” he said.
He explained some of the ways students can become better volleyball players.
“Control the controllables and put effort into your attitude and teamwork,” Loontjer said.