By Alyssa Maddocks
With everything from leaders on the court, to leaders in the coaching staff, to statistical leaders in the state, the presence of leadership on the varsity girls basketball team is not lacking.
Juniors Kaitlyn Volesky and Libby Ryan share state-wide recognition that set an example for their team. Volesky is holding a consistent .708 field goal percentage, and leads the team in points per game with 15.8. She leads the team and is second in the WaMac-East conference with 200 rebounds. Ryan leads the team with 47 steals, and leads the team and the WaMac-East conference with 62 assists.
While they may not stand out in state-wide statistics, seniors Jacque Murray and Annie See provide undeniable leadership while on and off the court. Murray averages 7.3 points per game, which is second on the team. “Jacque came back firing after her injury and has helped all of us grow and make sure that we stay focused on our end goal,” said Volesky. See holds a high three point percentage and an even higher free throw percentage.
Sophomore Kristen Elliott, averaging 7.0 points per game and holding a 39.6 three point percentage, says, “I will miss the seniors the most next season. They are really fun to play with and they give me support when I need it.”
On the coaching staff, most team members were able to connect to one of the many influential coaches. “I’m personally really happy that Coach Pedersen is an assistant this year because he really pushes us to be the best we can, is a terrific motivator, cares for each of us, and knows what he’s doing,” said Volesky.
Apart from being surrounded by consistent and powerful leadership, the team is thankful for every day that they get to spend with their teammates.
“I will definitely miss being with my teammates every day, and miss not playing basketball for the school and in the gym that I grew up in,” Murray said. “It’s all I know and it will be really hard to go somewhere else.”
Volesky said she has learned from seeing her own teammates fight through injuries and roadblocks. “Injuries have definitely changed how I see games. It has opened my eyes to the fact that I cannot take any of these games for granted. I’m doing what I love and I have to be grateful.”
