APK’s beach volleyball team has been a force on the sand since Florida sanctioned it as an official sport three years ago. With the school year coming to an end, The Blue and White had the opportunity to discuss the spike-tacular season with our coach and players.
Mrs. Anderson, who also coaches indoor volleyball, has led the girls through their wins and losses. Although they are both a form of volleyball, beach volleyball and indoor volleyball have their differences. Beach has two players on the court, compared to the typical six. Mrs. Anderson explains that this translates to “two people have to cover the same amount of space as six normally do.” This, along with the factor of weather, increases the complexity of beach volleyball. Things like sun, wind, and the decreased ability to move in the sand make it more difficult. Sophomore Madeline Sherrer explains she feels this is one of her biggest challenges, “If it’s windy, it can totally humble you.”
Although beach volleyball has its challenges, the connections formed are worth it without a doubt. One of the most important skills in beach volleyball is communication, and it’s clear how close the players are. Communication is especially important considering there are only two players on the court. Mrs. Anderson also encourages her players not to dwell on their mistakes. She describes how this comes into play on the court, saying, “I encourage them to always high five each other, try to encourage them to bounce back, not get mad.”
Beach volleyball is a relatively new sport in Florida’s school sports, but there are already some very skilled players in our district. Some of our team’s most formidable competitors are players who solely focus on beach volleyball. Mrs. Anderson explains, “When we play other schools, some of the best players have stopped playing indoors because there are now college scholarships that girls can get to play and it’s in the Olympics.” With more states across the country sanctioning beach volleyball as a sport, it opens a lot of doors for players. Despite tough competitors, Mrs. Anderson remains confident. “I feel like if we play our best and the girls communicate and give their all, we can beat anybody,” she says. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and many players are sad to see the season comes to a close. One of the things that makes beach volleyball so enjoyable is the people they are surrounded by. Seeing as there are only two players on the court, you are able to form a special bond with your teammate. Sophomore Kylee Talley expresses her feelings about the end of the season by saying, “I’m gonna miss all the seniors, they’re all really sweet. It’s a really welcoming environment.” Just like with any sport, the beach volleyball team becomes a home away from home for players.
Unfortunately, the Blue Darters were knocked out of the district competition on April 25th against Lake Highland Preparatory. We wish Apopka’s beach volleyball team good luck for next year’s season!
