A good volleyball team starts with the foundation of a family. It creates an atmosphere that is supportive and encouraging to one another. You have to form a team in order to create a family. It is important to create a family through this sport.
The idea of being a family is essential to Rocky volleyball. Yaretzi Jimenez said her definition of a family is “the people you surround yourself with, that look out for you and care for you just as you would for them.” For her, one key word that represents family is “trust.” Claire O’Hern Maidak shared that her definition of a family is “a group of people who come together and support each other through anything.” Her one word that represents family is “compassion.”
Yaretzi has been playing the sport of volleyball for 8 years, since she was in 3rd grade and Claire has been playing for about 7 years. Yaretzi also says that she wouldn’t change anything about her experience, “good or bad, the experience has shaped her into the player” she is today.
Yaretzi says that RI’s volleyball coach Alax Battin is a good example of this. “She pushes each athlete to be competitive, but still respectful to one another and having fun, which creates a fun but competitive atmosphere in the gym,” stated Yaretzi. Also, her first year of club coaches stood out to her, as “they emphasized working together, and would always join us for team dinners at tournaments,” explained Yaretzi. While Claire believes that Rocky’s Coach Sara is “one of the most positive people she’s been around, creating an uplifting atmosphere.”
To create the family atmosphere, Yaretzi shared what the team does. Usually, during fall break, they go to breakfast together and walk along the river. They also have team dinners the night before Conference matches. Something she would like to start is including more team bonding activities, “like going to football games or going on more team walks,” stated Yaretzi. To create a bond through the program, she also puts an effort out to talk to everyone, especially the ones she doesn’t know very well. Her main goal is including the underclassman, by “making them feel comfortable, not only with me, but also in the gym, so they can carry on that culture after I graduate,” said Yaretzi.
Yaretzi and Claire think it is very important to create a family within a team, as “it builds a bond and trust between everyone, on and off the court (or field),” said Yaretzi. Creating a family culture within a team creates trust. You get along with each other, and over all “creates a safer environment.” In her opinion, “team chemistry is one of the most important factors in a sport,” Yaretzi said. Claire said, “It’s so important to create a family. A team sport relies on everyone working together and taking care of each other for success.” Claire believes that Rocky volleyball is a great example of a family. They do their best to look after each other and support one another.
Through support and compassion, the RI volleyball team strives to create a strong family bond within the program. “You can have great athletes on the same team, but if there’s no trust or bond between them, then it’s game over,” said Yaretzi Jimenez.
