Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that ìEnthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved.î While Emerson may not have had the campus female sports teams in mind, the girlsí dedication to each other demonstrates how success first comes through struggle, effort and determination.

For the past three years the ladiesí tennis team has been crowned Valley champions, and volleyball has just completed an undefeated West Sierra League [WSL] season. However in past years neither team has had such lucrative seasons.

Before the 1997 season, the tennis team struggled in playing teams more experienced and skilled than their young lineup. The coaches and athletes began to see that it took more than an hour after school to become successful.

The girls began to live for the game. Spending the majority of their time thinking about or playing tennis. The dedication and devotion to the sport paid off, as the team became Valley champs, furthering their love for the game.

The spirit and motivation coming from the players is all but expected. From such a small school with big competitors it would seem futile to imagine a victorious season. But the playersí struggle and determination displays the principles and values learned on the court.

The campus coaching staff is dedicated not only to teach good health and exercise habits. They are committed to teaching life lessons and values that will be taken outside the game; ideals that will guide students even after the final buzzer sounds.

Through this coaching and education, players experience a rare bonding with teammates thus leading to a higher level of dedication and commitment to the team.
This loyalty is key to a season of personal growth and maturity, in sport and in life.

This small school success demonstrates that winning seasons are not based on the size of the school, but the amount of passion driving the individuals involved.