With the sun blazing on the sand, sunglasses shielding their eyes, and the palm of their opponent’s hand hitting the ball, the Fresno Christian Girls Beach Volleyball team prepares to receive the ball.
The beach volleyball team was established three years ago -and continues to grow each season. Starting in 2022, head indoor volleyball coach Steve Guglielmana began the team so the players could get more practice during the off-season.
“It’s a great opportunity for the ladies to get experience playing volleyball during the non-fall season,” Guglielmana said. “It’s a growing sport and gives the ladies a chance to improve their sport as well as be able to play outside.”
The players expect a few changes this season with a new coach, Anaya Uriarte, as the head coach. Uriarte has been playing volleyball since she was 11 years old and was offered to play in college, but decided to work and coach instead.
Uriarte heard that Fresno Christian was looking for a coach so she prayed about it and felt that God was putting it on her heart to serve him and coach this season. She hopes to make an impression on the players over the next few months.
“I am looking to impact the girls through growing their love for the sport,” said Uriarte. “ As a coach, you can make or break a player’s season or love for the sport. I never want to be the reason a player falls out of love with the volleyball game.”
Along with a new coach, there have been a few new players welcomed to the team. One of the new members is freshman Tatum McQuown. McQuown plays club beach volleyball but will also be participating in school ball this season. She is anticipating that her practice time will benefit her for future volleyball expertise.
“I think this will help me with volleyball in the future because it will give me more reps than I’m already getting and will help me get skills down that I’ve been practicing on,” McQuown said. ” Playing will help me get more comfortable with people and different partners.”
Fresno Christian strives for dignity on and off the court. The players are infused with sportsmanship and encouragement in all games that they participate in. Coaches do their best to entrench respect in their players.
“My goals for this season are to help my players develop not only their volleyball skills but their characters out on the court,” Uriarte. “For me, how you treat your teammates, and how players respond after their wins and losses are the most important thing. One of my former coaches told me playing volleyball with have an end date, but your character is something you will carry forever.”
Playing with just one other player adds a whole new dimension in comparison to indoor volleyball with five other players. The teams of two do their best to communicate with each other so no balls hit the sand. Playing with just one partner and practicing with many others builds strong relationships among the teammates, which is something senior Maggie Phanco is looking forward to.
‘‘I’m excited to improve my relationship with the girls I will be playing with,” said Phanco.” I made a goal to myself to be encouraging and do my best to be there for my team inside and outside of the court.”
The Eagles’ first game is March. 21 at The Landon Sand Courts in Madera, go support your Eagles for their first match at 10 am!
To read more from The Feather, visit PROMO: Track and Filed leaps into new season or PROMO: FC Boys’ Tennis team hope for three-peat
