Undefeated with eight wins and zero losses and ranked eighth in 5A, the girls varsity volleyball team has been cruising through their season, only losing one set overall.

For most of the team, one of their proudest moments this season was beating Wilsonville High School in three sets. In the practices leading up to the victory, the Falcons worked hard to achieve their goal of beating the rival school.

At the start of every practice, the team has a 30-minute to one-hour team meeting where they discuss strategies, come up with plays, and review film. Senior middle blocker Amelia St. Amand said they also have to do a “buy-in, which is where we have to do 100 sets against the wall before we can actually practice.”

Junior and defensive specialist Abby Martin finds team meetings beneficial, saying “we’re able to see our mistakes, see what we do wrong, and then adjust and adapt to it.”

Before every home game, the team has three different pregame rituals: cheers, prayers, and dances. These rituals help set the tone for the Falcons before they step foot on the court for their games.

“When we have good pregame rituals, we get more hype and it’s much more fun, and we just play better together,” Martin said.

This year, the volleyball team had the privilege to go on a team bonding trip to Mount Hood for a weekend, which allowed the players to build friendships as well as foster a strong team connection.

One highlight of their trip was spending time together at the Snocade Camp — a rental house in Government Camp — where each player shared the reason(s) why they play volleyball. 

“We have a better team connection, we have a better work ethic, better attitude,” Martin said.

The team’s connection and bond is something that stands out within the team this year compared to previous seasons. 

Many players on the team believe that much of their success is due to their team dynamic and connection, which allows them to play as a unified group.

“We’re able to really play as a team, not just individuals,” St. Amand said.

Sportsmanship is something much of the team values and believes is important. The team always aims to show sportsmanship toward their opponents and referees.

“We want to be seen as a team with really good sportsmanship,” St. Amand said. “ A team that people are excited to play against, who loses well and who wins well.” 

Singing and dancing is a common theme among the team. Some of St. Amand and sophomore setter Morgan Young’s favorite moments of the season are when the team sings and dances together, whether it’s in the locker room before games, during practice, or in the hallways.

Young views varsity assistant coach Anna Dillard as an inspiration because of the way she gives feedback as well as the advice she gives.

“[Dillard] said once, ‘to outwork everyone in the gym and have the mindset that you’re going to outwork everyone in the gym,’” Young said. “That’s the thing that I just keep with me throughout practice, or if I’m tired that day, or if I don’t want to go.”

For Martin, she views varsity head coach Julie Taylor as an inspiration to her and the team.

“She’s been through a lot and she perseveres and she’s expressed that to us,” Martin said.

For freshman outside hitter Adah Garone, her teammate St. Amand is someone who inspires her, as she has made her feel very comfortable and “at home with the team.”

The Falcons have many goals for the remainder of their season, one being to win their league. They plan to achieve this goal by keeping one another accountable and pushing each other during their practices.

“When we’re at practice, six on six, we’re not friends,” Young said. “We are going to be making each other better.”

According to Young, another goal for the Falcons is to host a first-round playoff matchup because they will be able to create their own positive, loud, and uplifting energy, which will help put them in a better position to be successful throughout the playoffs.

The Falcons will play their next game at home against Milwaukie High School on Thursday, Oct. 2.