The season never ends

Minnehaha girls use club volleyball to fuel future success

The school volleyball season has ended but for most girls club volleyball is just beginning. First-year student Danielle Hobbie, middle hitter on varsity MA girls volleyball, is just starting the club season for Kokoro. 

“Well, I really like the community and the spirit of school volleyball. A lot of people aren’t as dedicated as others. I really like club because everyone wants to put in extra work and wants to be there. That’s why you do club, it is to work to get better in the offseason,” Hobbie said. 

Although Danielle loves club she will be missing school volleyball, she loved being able to go after school for practices and games. 

“It gave me something to look forward to and work hard throughout the day,” said Hobbie. 

Danielle has started tryouts and soon will be practicing three to four times a week.

“A lot of clubs actually come with working out and you have to do two sessions a week that are an hour long because it helps you to jump higher and get stronger,” said Hobbie. 

Danielle will soon be traveling every month or so for tournaments with her team.

“Well, we usually travel every month but definitely no less than that. I can’t wait to travel with my team and have a stronger bond with them,” Hobbie added. 

Many players enjoy doing club to get stronger and improve in the offseason which also includes a first-year JV player Greta Christiansen.

“I love school volleyball but the environment is a little more competitive for club and everyone that is there is there to get better. I also love meeting new people and club gives you that opportunity to have new people on your team each year,” Christiansen said. 

A lot of fun memories are created with school volleyball and club. Club offers many players to travel and create strong friendships and bonds with their teammates. 

“My favorite moments from school volleyball were when a few of my teammates and I would get food before our games, it was always something I could look forward to. The club that I play for, Northern Heat, is taking one trip to Rochester for a tournament and I am really looking forward to that,” said Christiansen. 

Most people think that it may be hard to manage school and sports but Christiansen is learning to manage it all pretty well. 

“My volleyball practices start at 7:30 and it goes till 9:30 so I go to Nordic practice right after school and get my homework done either in school or before practice. I am learning more about time management and I’m glad that my practice is later in the day so I can get school work done before it,” Christiansen said. 

Many players are improving as much as they can for the next school season by working hard now. 

“I have about two practices a week and my first game is in January. I am working hard on my hitting to try and jump higher and hit harder,” she added.