Faith Academy volleyball’s culture leads to productive week
CAPTION: Senior Jillian Martin and the Faith Academy volleyball players have a solid start to two-a-days. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Fire Pit on the Faith Academy of Marble Falls campus was alive with activity thanks to the Lady Flames volleyball program.
Head coach Erin Sawyer noted that 24 players committed to play the sport during the 2024 season.
“It’s very encouraging,” she said. “It means the girls want to be here or try it out. It’s encouraging that we’re getting more people to the sport who are in high school. It’s more competitive. It’ll be good for the entire program for us to grow it.”
She also is enthusiastic about the way the Lady Flames have come to two-a-day practices.
“I’m glad for the turnout,” she said. “Their attitudes – they’re ready to work.”
Sawyer is entering her second season as the head coach. So the familiarity among the veterans allows the practices to be more efficient. She can correct the smallest detail in form and footwork because the Lady Flames know the playbook.
“They know how I want things,” she said. “The difference is the setup. It’s tweaking here and there. We’re trying out all the things we’ve worked on.”
During the first practice, the coach said the athletes “played volleyball with ball control, worked out of system and worked on transitions and playing game-like drills.”
“Ball control is passing it where you want it to go and how high or low to the setter,” she said. “It’s being specific on how you pass to that area.”
Because the athletes participated in summer work, Sawyer noted they arrived in shape. She commended the veterans on leading program, pointing out they’re ready to do a drill and are willing to help the underclassmen better understand a skill or a play.
“The best kind of culture you can have is an athlete-led culture,” she said. “When they’re doing it and teaching the younger kids, that’s a good thing. I’m looking forward to the next few days.”
The Lady Flames are selling discount cards as a fundraiser to area businesses. Cost for the cards is $25. Sawyer said the money is used to buy items not covered in the budget, including apparel bags and meals.
Faith Academy welcomes Marble Falls for a scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 10. The subvarsities play at 10 a.m. and the varsity follows. The Lady Flames begin the 2024 season by hosting Pflugerville Concordia with the subvarsity playing at 5 p.m. and the varsity at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13.
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