Team spirit fuels Cox varsity girls volleyball to success
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Led by coach Tracey Thompson and captains Grace Holroyd and Mackenzie Colvin, the Frank W. Cox High School girls varsity volleyball team competed in the playoffs in November 2021. They were defeated by Stone Bridge High School but finished as finalists with a win-loss ratio of 21-4, beating First Colonial, Granby, and Princess Anne high schools on their road to the top. Their accomplishments are due to working as a cohesive and respectful team.
When asked about their success, Holroyd credited the importance of individual responsibility in effort and team spirit. Volleyball is a fast moving and highly stressful sport; every missed opportunity has the potential to cost the team a point. Each player must utilize her unique talents, and great trust must be shared among all of the athletes to unify and motivate the team as a whole.
Before a match, the team gets together for a pep talk and focuses on their goal. After points, the girls huddle together and celebrate in order to keep each other going through the whole match.
The rigorous matches often last over an hour, so the team has to keep their energy high. People on the sidelines play a monumental role in the team’s inspiration and momentum by cheering words of encouragement to the players. The team even has its own cheers.
“Our cheers are a vital part of the game because they keep our team’s energy high through our spirited support for each other,” said team member Sophie Whitsel.
When a teammate scores an ace — a point earned by scoring on an untouched or single touched serve — all of the girls on the court bow to the server like a queen. The girls on the bench also act as a part of this cheer, diving toward the court with their around their eyes as binoculars and cheering on the server. A cheer called “Downtown Charlie Brown” is used for balls scored on a kill, which are balls hit straight to the other team’s floor. The players chant “Downtown Charlie Brown” and form a Rockettes-worthy line. The silly, but highly-motivating cheers are a great way to keep everyone energized.
The team is currently ranked fourth in their division, and they have their eyes on even higher ranks. The juniors aim to maintain the high energy and commitment to their team and return the finals next year.
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