Change can often be hard. For example, moving to a new city, getting a new job, or moving from junior high to high school. It is like traveling to somewhere a person has never been, such as a new school. If a person is new to a school, they may not know where anything is located or who anyone is. There are new people, new teachers, new coaches. Or, an athlete could be joining a high school volleyball team. Whether a person believes this is a big challenge or not, it definitely is. There are new challenges, stricter coaches, and new rules. Varsity athletes might not know everything, but learning it all is worth it for the bonds you make along the way.

     Personally, I have played volleyball for four years, and moving from junior high to high school was a big change. It was more challenging, both mentally and physically. Eighth-grade volleyball player, Macy McLaughlin, was asked if she hopes to continue her volleyball career in high school. Her response was, “Yes, I do plan to play volleyball throughout high school.” When asked if McLaughlin is looking forward to varsity volleyball, she said, “I am looking forward to making bonds and memories with the girls on the team and having fun at the games and tournaments.” Finally, Macy had this to say about the challenges moving from junior to senior high school. “I think the biggest change from junior high volleyball to high school volleyball will be having more conditioning and harder practices.” Overall, McLaughlin is excited for varsity volleyball because she believes that it will be fun and exciting, making bonds with her teammates. 

     Senior, Emma Hildebrand has played volleyball throughout junior high and high school. Hildebrand had this to say about what she enjoyed while being on the junior high volleyball team. “Junior high volleyball was what made me realize how much I actually liked volleyball and made me want to get more into it.” There are many changes from junior high to high school. Hildebrand described the challenges as  “The speed and the intensity of the game were probably the biggest challenge from junior high to high school volleyball. They also expect way more out of you in high school and make you work way harder.” When asked what Emma’s favorite memory from high school volleyball included, she said, “Getting hyped in the locker room before games is probably my favorite memory from high school volleyball.” 

     This year, the Lady Kings have a new head coach, Taylor Pullen. Coach Pullen had this to say about some of the challenges athletes face transitioning from junior to senior high volleyball. Pullen said, “In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges for junior high students moving to high school volleyball?” She answered with, “In my opinion, I think the biggest challenge moving from 7th to 8th grade volleyball up to high school volleyball is the level of play. In 8th grade, you are still trying to figure out how to serve over the net, or pass a ball currently, but at the JV or high school level, you are playing with girls who are a freshman, sophomore, or Junior in most cases, and have been playing longer and understand the game better.” Coach Pullen said moving from junior to senior high school can be a big jump for some of the girls on the team, and she hopes that they can bring back a freshman team. Pullen added, “I think the second is learning rotation. Something we have not taught our junior high girls up to this point. I am hoping to change that in the future, as we spend too much time at the start of the season teaching rotation when we should be focusing on other skills.”  Some adjustments the freshman have to make in the rotation are based on their rotations off, where the setter is going on the court. At first, it can seem complicated, but as the season went on, the girls got used to the rotation. Taylor also said that the start of the season is the hardest for the freshman because the season is twice as long. That means twice as much conditioning, and more games and tournaments. It is harder for athletes to get back on track after hitting a wall or burning out mid-season because the freshmen are not used to the long seasons.

     In conclusion, the transition from rotations, the jump from the junior high to senior high school, can be the hardest at the beginning of the season. It shows that as the season goes on, the girls get used to the longer practices and the conditioning. The transition is difficult, but it becomes easier, and it feels more like a routine after a while. What makes it more fun is if the athletes are surrounded by positive and friendly people. The team becomes more excited and positive. Finally, the transition from junior high to high school volleyball is hard, but it is all worth it in the end.