By Collin Jones ’23, staff writer

Squeaking sneakers on the court isn’t always basketball being played. Sometimes volleyball is being played, and the cheering itself can be more than enough to catch someone’s attention.

At LVC, volleyball is one of the many fall sports played, and when the games are ongoing, they are action-packed and fun to watch. The team is off to its best start since its 2019 season, and it seems it is not stopping anytime soon.

Robyn Stepler, a sophomore athletic training major, and Grace Powell, a senior biology major and captain of the volleyball team, always bring energy when the volleyball team is playing at Sorrentino Gym.

“At a game, you can expect the gym to be loud and the game to go back and forth often with both teams getting great kills,” Stepler said. “With this, the teams and the fans get very involved, adding to the excitement of the game. (Our) team is devoted to giving our all each play, which can make for a nail-biting game that you don’t want to miss.” Powell agrees: “At a volleyball game, fans can expect a high energy environment…everyone wants LVC volleyball to come out on top!”

With an 8-4 record, having never been swept in a series, the girls always find a way to fight and give it their all every game, set and match.

But with being 8-4, this team has strengths and weaknesses, respectively. Stepler states, “This season, our serve receives has wavered, causing the rest of our play to be out of system.” With being 8-4, one can say that their weaknesses are nothing to worry about as much. Stepler thinks their offense is their most vital part. “… Running plays to open up the net for to open up the net for everyone to get a kill is one of our most dangerous attributes”.

“We have struggled a little bit with inconsistency and pushing through long matches, but we are definitely improving on these aspects and will continue to work hard to be the best we can be,” Powell said.

While being a senior and leader on the team, Powell deals with the “problems” faced in front of her daily. “…(I) often find myself touching bases with other members of the team or Coach Reynolds to make sure I am giving the correct advice…Everyone is dedicated, responsible, and hardworking, so I do not feel like I have to confront anyone about their actions or mindset.”

So far, during the season, the team has played a handful of regionally ranked teams, and as the season goes forward, they will pay a couple more. Stepler thinks they are more than capable of winning a spot for the postseason. “This team is full of energy and grit, so I’m excited to see where that takes us.”

Grace followed with, “I think we have the capability to reach our goal of playoffs as well as continue to improve our record. I also expect us to keep challenging the teams we face and making each other better players and teammates both on and off the court.”

LVC Volleyball plays its next home game against York College Tuesday, September 27th. York also has a record standing at 8-4, so this match on Tuesday night will be one that LVC students do not want to miss.