Girls volleyball started their season with attainable goals. Coach Mike Markulis and assistant coach Ben Marquette would like the team to have a winning record, make it to post season district tournaments, and play to the best of their ability. The girls would like to beat teams from Hudson, Stow, Minerva, and Chardon by relying on a faster offense and by running combination plays to mix up their opponents defense.

With a record of 4-3 as of Sept. 13, and 11 matches to go, they have met most of their goals already.

“I’d like to see a lot more plays.” Markulis said. “We’re hoping to start where we left off last year with a winning record.”

Markulis is in his second year as the varsity coach. Before coming to Roosevelt, he coached eighth grade girls volleyball at Stanton Middle School and was the assistant coach at Stow-Munroe Falls High School. He came to coach at Roosevelt because of his love for volleyball and his desire for the challenge of coaching a varsity sport.

Players commented on his coaching abilities and how he encourages them to do their best.

“He’s a really good coach, I’ve learned a lot from him in the past three years,” sophomore Brittany Watkins said.

“He definitely has a lot of spunk. He’s a crazy guy. We have a lot of fun with him,” junior Kari Lillibridge said.

Fellow teammate, junior Kaitlin Gentry, also said, “He’s really enthusiastic and into it. He believes that we can be the best and play to the best of our abilities.”

“I’ve seen a lot of improvement. The team in general is doing very well, everyone contributes,” Markulis said. “There is definitely a lot of team unity. Many of the girls are good friends and have played together since they were younger.”

The girls also sense team unity on and off the court.

“I’ve grown up with these girls. We’re all friends and we’ve all played together since seventh grade. We hang out on the weekends and have classes together,” Lillibridge said.

Brittany Watkins agrees, “Not one player is really good, the whole team works together and that’s how we win,” she said.

In preparation for the season, many of the girls went to individual camps such as the Junior Olympics, a volleyball camp where the girls can improve their skills with players from different schools. Before the season began, open gyms, conditioning sessions, and practices were held. This off-season practice strengthened the team. So far, no injuries have occurred.

“Luckily no injuries have put our players or our team behind,” Markulis said.

Although the varsity team this year is slightly younger, consisting of one senior, six juniors, and one sophomore, Markulis remains confident.

“We’re a very young team, but we’re very experienced,” Markulis said.