La Salle’s Varsity volleyball team defeated Hillsboro on Tuesday, September 15th with a score of 3-0. This win brings their season record to 2 wins and 1 loss. La Salle has been on a roll since their initial loss of 2-3 to Saint Helens on Tuesday September 8th, beating Parkrose 3-0, and Hillsboro 3-1. La Salle’s next game is tonight at 6:45 against Putnam in the brick oven.

The JV and JV2 team have also started the season strong, respectively boasting 2-1 and 3-0 records.

When asked why La Salle’s teams have experienced success, players agreed that teamwork and great effort are contributing factors:

“Teamwork is important because without everyone contributing you can’t really make a play and you can’t get points,” says sophomore varsity member Olivia Bergeson.

 JV freshman, Olivia Keepes, states, “Teamwork helps the team function better and reach a goal.”

Teamwork is essential for any winning team but that’s difficult when new players join the team every year. For some underclassman, the transition from the familiar CYO and rec systems can create a lack of team chemistry and consequently a lack of teamwork.

“If you don’t talk to each other and work as a team on the court, you can’t even put the ball over the net,” says freshman varsity member Maddie Hansen.

For some, volleyball offers more than just the gratifying feeling of victory. Volleyball can offer inclusion and friends for incoming freshman in a new high school.

JV junior Delaney Miller tells of her own experience, “When I was a freshman I didn’t know anyone coming into La Salle, so being on the volleyball team before school started helped me get to know people and made me feel comfortable with being at a new school.”

As the season continues, teams will continue to bond, and hopefully many wins will accumulate as a result.