The success of the volleyball team this season is in large part due to their two captains, Georgia Horton, senior, and Eliza Liebler, senior.  Both Georgia and Eliza have shown a dedication to the sport since middle school, and have really excelled and shown immense growth as players.  The level of skill that they bring to the team is invaluable.  The two also bring to the table a real passion for the game.  Georgia explains, “I love playing volleyball because it is a sport that is very difficult to get really good at, which pushes the team to put in the extra work to be great.”  For Eliza, the thing she loves most about volleyball is “how you can just pick up a ball and play whenever.”

However they bring a lot more to the team than just their great playing.  As captains, it is their duty to lead the team.  They demonstrate their great ability to do so on and off the court.  From practice to games, Georgia says, “I like to look at the captain as a constant on the court.”  Georgia went on to explain that the captain must always be there for the players, ready to give advice on how to improve their playing, and to give them a pat on the back when they do things well.  Eliza explains that “being a good leader means keeping [the team] focused when things get a little hectic or out of hand. Also, helping them develop or define their skills.”

A great captain supports the team not only when they are winning, but also when things aren’t going as one might hope.  Eliza says, “I try to keep my cool under pressure and always stay positive. Even if I’m frustrated I know that our team is quick to get down on themselves, so I try to stay up and enthusiastic.”  Georgia agrees: “To lead the team, you have to be able to appreciate the team when we are doing well, and bring the team up when we are falling behind. And that’s difficult, since you have to find that inner drive to keep on fighting when the game isn’t going the way you were planning it to go!”  Fortunately, with the team in first place in both the PSAA league and the ACIS league, Eliza and Georgia’s positive attitudes have paid off.

Another aspect of being a captain that is very important to both Georgia and Eliza is being approachable outside of volleyball as well.  Eliza describes her and Georgia’s relationship with the team as being like a “‘cool aunt’, where if someone has a problem going to one of the coaches they can always come to us.”  Both of them have developed great friendships with all the girls on the team.

The team has also expressed their gratitude to have such amazing and dedicated captains.   Coach Smith says, “Georgia and Eliza have been the heart and soul of this championship team for years and as captains they have, countlessly, lead the team on and off the court.  These girls show grit and tenacity time and time again;  it’s no surprise they have earned another first place regular season standing in the ACIS.  I hope future players can fill the shoes of these exceptional competitors.”  They have also made a big impression on freshman, Simone Silvan: “Georgia and Eliza are not only great supporters and players on the court, but are the nicest in school as well. they always come up to me in the halls and get me pumped for a game, or ask how I’ve been.  As a freshman, its very special to have two awesome seniors that always have your back.”

As captains, Georgia and Eliza have demonstrated that the attitude of the team on and off the court is the most important thing.  Eliza sums it up perfectly: “I want everyone on the team to love volleyball as much as I do. I hope that my enthusiasm will translate to them and when I graduate they’ll be able to have a team that is just as passionate if not more so.”  They have done a great job leading the team to victory, and we wait eagerly to hear about their results in the ACIS championship game on October 29th.  Although Georgia and Eliza will be heading off to college next year, they will be leaving behind a great legacy on the volleyball team.

Interviews:

Mr. Smith (coach):

Georgia and Eliza have been the heart and soul of this championship team for years and as captains they have, countlessly, lead the team on and off the court.  These girls show grit and tenacity time and time again;  it’s no surprise they have earned another first place regular season standing in the ACIS.  I hope future players can fill the shoes of these exceptional competitors.

Simone Silvan (teammate):

Georgia and Eliza not only are great supporters and players on the court, but are the nicest in school as well. they always come up to me in the halls and get me pumped for a game, or ask how i’ve been. as a freshman, its very special to have two awesome seniors that always have your back.

Georgia:

I have been playing volleyball since 5th or 6th grade. Unfortunately in 9th grade I had a knee injury and couldn’t play, but I returned to the sport for sophomore year! I love playing volleyball because it is a sport that is very difficult to get really good at, which pushes the team to put in the extra work to be great.

To lead the team, you have to be able to appreciate the team when we are doing well, and bring the team up when we are falling behind. And that’s difficult, since you have to find that inner drive to keep on fighting when the game isn’t going the way you were planning it to go!

I like to look at the captain as a constant on the court. Like I said before, you need to constantly push your team to do their best, but also know when to step in and when not to step in. Being overwhelming with instruction or motivation does not let your teammates grow, but being too passive does not push your teammates to the best of their ability.

I mentioned this before, but to be a good role model, you have to be a constant on the court. Maintaining a drive, even if I mess up, is the key to leading a team since fretting on that mistake will only annoy myself and my teammates! I also know I need to be able to talk to on and off the court! Being a role model means actively being a leader during practice, games, and during school in order to establish a friendship with everyone on the team.

Eliza:

I’ve been playing volleyball since middle school but I started playing more competitively sophomore year. I think the thing I love most about volleyball is how you can just pick up a ball and play whenever. I also love the BC team dynamic. Some of my closest friends are on the team and we always just mess around and hang out together and thanks to volleyball we have a really strong bond.
To me, being a good leader means keeping them focused when things get a little hectic or out of hand. Also, helping them develop or define their skills more and being accessible to them is incredibly important. As a captain it’s my job to lead the team through a practice efficiently and lead by example. Also to help out team mates whenever they need help or a shoulder to lean on. In a way I feel like Georgia and I are like the “cool aunts” of the team (or so I hope), where if someone has a problem going to one of the coaches they can always come to us. I want everyone on the team to love volleyball as much as I do. I hope that my enthusiasm will translate to them and when I graduate they’ll be able to have a team that is just as passionate if not more so. In order to be a good role model for the team I try to keep my cool under pressure and always stay positive. Even if I’m frustrated I know that our team is quick to get down on themselves so I try to stay up and enthusiastic.