Although the 2009 volleyball season has come to an end for the Lady Apache volleyball team, the ladies will not forget the memories and hard-fought games they’ve played this season.
With a season record of 19 and 15, the Lady Apaches lost their Oct. 25 game against the 2008 conference champions and No. 2 volleyball team in the nation, Blinn College, which put their season to an end.
“We’ve been through a lot mentally and physically …emphasis on physically,” defensive specialist Corinna Stark said.
The team consisted of nine freshman, five sophomores and two internationals.
“This team is the only family I have here in the states. They have helped me adjust and grow to love the American way of life,” 17-year-old freshman Darya Dziatechuk said.
At the beginning of the season, the ladies tie-dyed team shirts and played putt-putt to get more acquainted with one another. This was their opportunity to bond with one another off the court.
“I want the ladies to be able to be friends on and off the court and in and outside of their dorm rooms,” Head Coach Dana Hatch said. “They may have had their issues off the court, but they never allowed it to affect their game.”
Each player shares a dorm room with a teammate with the exception of 24-year-old Corinna Stark. However, she is still very close with her younger teammates.
“We look up to Corinna because she’s the oldest. She is like our older sister,” freshman defensive specialist Chelsea Lyons said.
The Lady Apaches may be “all smiles” off the court and around campus, Assistant Coach Andrea Parker said, but when that first whistle blows, they put their game faces on.
“These kids worked hard for me every day and we had a successful season everywhere but in the win column,” coach Hatch said.
“As a coach you never want the season to end,” Hatch said. “Especially with a loss…but we’re not done. We are back in the gym getting ready for next season.”
