Girls volleyball begins practicing for tournament

The MacArthur Girls Volleyball Team looks to defend their championship at this year’s SAUSD intermediate school volleyball tournament, held at Saddleback High School on October 15.

The MacArthur Girls Volleyball Team has begun preparing for the Santa Ana Unified School District tournament on Saturday, October 15 at Saddleback High School.  The volleyball team will be comprised of 12 players and three managers, chosen by PE Teacher Mrs. Kathleen Carrigan, who coaches the team with Ms. Beltran.  Practices are held after school on Monday through Friday, except Wednesdays.

Having 15 years of volleyball coaching experience, Carrigan knows how to prepare the team for success.  For warm ups at practice, girls run a lap around the blacktop and stretch, mostly their arms and legs.  Then the team practices the fundamentals of volleyball such as serving, passing, footwork, spiking and then game play. “I look for current volleyball skills, skills that I can develop as a coach through commitment to the team,” said Carrigan.  

For athletes, there are many reasons to join the team.  Eighth-grader Milagros Quezada said, “I joined volleyball because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and try something new. I play volleyball at home, and I was scared to try out because I thought I wasn’t good enough to make the team. But I decided if I never try out I won’t know if I’m capable of joining the team.

“I really enjoy it because you need communication to play. Communication is the key to bumping the ball over the net. You need to trust your teammates and you need to bond. The bond you will create will with your teammates will last a long time,” said Milagros.

Eighth-grader Mia Carrillo decided to join volleyball because, “Mrs. Carrigan and Natalie Gonzalez convinced me to play, so I can have another sport to play instead of softball,” said Mia.  “You move your feet a lot.  At first it’s hard but once you get the hang of it, it gets a little easier.”