There is an average of one captain per three players on women’s volleyball, a unique situation which could go to the Principia record books. This is because the volleyball team voted unanimously to have all four seniors – Hannah Richards, Katie Duntley, Teddye Shaffer and Anne Goodrich-Stuart – as captains.
Ordinarily, this would be tricky, but the chemistry on this team seems to have worked wonders. Instead of having divided loyalties, the four captains have brought different qualities to the women’s team, which won 13 and lost 16 matches this season.
One of the captains, Anne Goodrich-Stuart, says that there is no conflict, and agrees that this was a unique arrangement which could well be historic for the women’s team. “This has not happened in my four years here,” she says. The roles of the captains are clear. Each has a special quality and skill which they bring to the team, and the players are free to approach any of the four whenever they need to talk to somebody.
The captains’ duties include metaphysical support and watching over the rest of the team. “You must look at the bigger picture and pay attention to all, motivate and remain calm under all circumstances,” Goodrich-Stuart says.
The cog that turns the team is Hannah Richards, an inspirational overall captain and utility player who excelled last season. “Hannah is one of the savviest players I have ever coached,” explains head coach Mary Ann Sprague. As a captain, Richards is also one of the court coaches. She is smart and always smacks the ball right back to the opponents, sometimes from near impossible situations.
Goodrich-Stuart says she is encouraged by the endless supply of young talent that pasess through the Mary Ann Sprague production line long after the seniors depart. “[Sprague] is a patient but tough coach whose presence is always an inspiration,” Goodrich-Stuart explains.
There has never been any doubt about the supply line in the team. For example, two freshmen have battled their way to this season’s starting line-up and are unrelenting. Freshmen Sarah Howard and Kiersten Andersen cemented their places in the team and impressed the coaches enough to get game time, which can only be good for the coaches’ long term planning.
Each of these players has individual and unique qualities that have been nurtured by the amiable coaching staff. Freshman Natalie Davenport has worked hard on her game and steps up whenever some of the senior players take a breather. Howard is strong in blocking and plays any front row position. Andersen stepped up her game to join the starting line-up after Richards was injured. Kendall Schier has a good attitude and exemplifies the progress possible in the course of a season.
This incoming talent makes it possible for the team to remain competitive after each year’s seniors are gone. Much of this year’s success can be attributed to the team’s goal of maintaining personal accountability, whether it be a player’s first season or her last.
One established team activity is a study hall Monday through Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the library, when team members concentrate on their school work to compensate for the time they are practicing and playing. This is compulsory for the freshmen daily and for their teammates weekly. This team commitment to disciplined study habits is just one example of the extra-athletic development that occurs during a volleyball season.
Goodrich-Stuart recalls that the team started the season off well after a three-week sports camp. She admits there were low and high moments, but overall gave the team high grades for achieving great heights during the season. Says Goodrich-Stuart, “There were some matches we barely won despite dominating, which exerted pressure on us.” Injuries to two key players, Katie Duntley and Richards, slowed down the team. The captain recalled a painful loss to Greenville College. “We played well but lost,” she states.
This has been a long season with mixed results. One highlight was four consecutive wins from Sep. 12 to Sep. 19. Six losses from Oct. 20-31 were tough, especially a five-set thriller loss to Greenville College on Oct. 31. Nevertheless, there was a silver lining as Prin bounced back to beat Westminister College 3-0 away on Nov. 3.
Goodrich-Stuart says she has enjoyed her time on the Prin volleyball team, recalling that it is “amazing how new players are developed during the years.”
As the women’s team takes a well-deserved rest, planning for the next season has already started. Sprague has already begun reviewing the season’s performance with the goal of correcting the mistakes when volleyball resumes next fall.
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