The foundation for a competitive sports program starts with the investment of the youth athletics. For the volleyball program, the fruits of their labor are already evident on the junior high team.

Chris Schultz, athletic director and JH football coach, along with coaches Amanda Lopez, Jennifer Oren and Sharon Fisher, have been working with fifth through eighth graders, teaching them sport specific skills and a winning attitude.

?For the past three years we have been working hard to invest in our youth programs,? Schultz said. ?Providing quality coaching, upgrading competition and instilling them with the values and skills necessary to compete well at the high school level.?

The seventh and eighth grade volleyball teams competed in the Bear Club Classic tournament at Buchanan on Sept. 22.

?We entered into the tournament with an underdog mindset,? Danielle Lauber, ’12, said. ?Before the tournament we tried keeping a positive attitude, but everyone thought we would lose.?

Taylor Oren, ’13, playing on the eighth grade team, shared Lauber’s hesitation and anxiety.

?All of the us walked into the gym that day with our heads full of doubt,? Taylor said. ?We watched the other teams warm up, and we were sure we would lose all of our games.?

Each coach viewed the tournament as an opportunity to challege the teams. To their surprise both teams went undefeated, and made it to finals, defeating Clovis intermediate schools: Alta Sierra, Kastner, Granite Ridge and Clark.

“I’m excited for the future of the high school volleyball team,” Shailey Jones, the girls’ high school volleyball coach, said. “The girls show a love for volleyball and a very competitive spirit. They have a very bright future if they continue to grow and build on the foundation that has been built for them.”

Before the championship game the coaches encourage their players that no matter what the outcome of the games, they would still be viewed as champions.

?The girls were absolutely outstanding,? Coach Oren said. ?It was a tremendous victory beating so many Clovis schools. Kastner actually has more players on their volleyball team than we have girls in the junior high.?

However in the finals the seventh graders lost to Reyburn and the eighth graders lost to Kastner, both A teams.

?Although we did not come away with the championships, we surprised the heck out of the Clovis schools,? Schultz said. ?And represented Fresno Christian at the highest level.?

Both teams will take the court at Kastner on Sept. 27. The eighth grade team will be playing at home against Hamilton on Oct. 2 and both teams will play at home against Fort Miller on Oct. 4.

For more information or dates for future games, read the junior high announcements or call the junior high office at 559-299-1695, ext. 125.