Bump, set, spike. Do these terms sound familiar to you? Probably not, but you will soon because there’s a new sport coming to the school. Joining the other schools in the Patriot League, a volleyball team will be beginning at SHS this spring. Former volleyball player, Jen Harris will launch this new team from the ground up hoping to build team camaraderie and leadership among girls through the sport she grew up playing. Harris played volleyball at Braintree High School, and later took her volleyball career to Bates College. She is now a physical education and health teacher, coach for AAU volleyball and coach for girls’ basketball at Cohasset High School. Harris has developed middle school programs and is looking to begin a complete Scituate Youth Volleyball program to raise awareness and excitement for the sport that is foreign to many Scituate residents.
To begin the program, Harris has developed a two year plan. For the first year, the fall of 2014, the volleyball team will be a club sport. The girls will practice everyday, just as a varsity would, and then also have matches throughout the week in surrounding towns. The team will have 14-18 matches and compete against other junior-high, and freshman teams in order to build skills, learn the rules and ultimately become more familiar with the sport. Junior, Ella Hannon said, “after only three practices, we’ve learned so much so I think we really have the potential to be good in the future.” Unfortunately, SHS will be unable to hold matches until better equipment is purchased in the future. If the team proves their dedication and commitment to the program, they will be entered into the MIAA, fall of 2015. Harris is excited to bring a new sport to the high school and said, “it builds character, communication, and skills. And student athletes are known to be better students. It will create more opportunities for girls in sports, further school spirit and will bring community awareness.”
Although these new changes will not take full effect until next fall, the team will be an intramural sport this spring. The first practices begin April 15, and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday after that. Harris said, “nearly thirty students went to the first meeting, so I am confident in the program, but I have not seen much individual student leadership yet.” The club is still open to new players, so jump on in and be apart of this change! If anyone is interested in the club, feel free to contact Jen Harris as [email protected], or call her 617-504-0284.