Story by Paige Zaruba

Intensity. Demand. Stability. Confidence. These are just a few words to describe what Mount Vernon volleyball is all about

Each season, the varsity team steps out onto the court of the first game with a goal, a sense of purpose. This season, Coach Maggie Willems assigned the team with a mental objective, “Purpose over Self.” Each season, Coach Willems also allocates each player with a word, to create a sense of intention as they enter the season.

These words are designed to make the players think about their purpose on the court as they continue through the season. Coach Willems spends all summer thinking about words she can pair with her athletes. She said, “I try to think of what the athlete needs to move them forward in the volleyball season.” After Coach Willems spends time deciding on a word, she feels confident about it. She said that sometimes, the word “chooses an athlete” in a moment she interacts with the athlete.

Senior six-rotation player Catherine Yeoman said, “Intensity was the word I was given. I feel like I was given this word to help lead the team to maintain a high level of play which takes a high level of intensity.” Yeoman wants to create energy to help her teammates be successful.

“Progress” was the word given to junior Annie Rhomberg, an outside hitter for the Mustangs. “I feel like having this word helps me focus on my contributions as an individual player to help my team reach success,” Rhomberg said. “It constantly reminds me to focus on the little things and really push myself to be the best player I can be.”