By Gene Helfman

Weekly contributor

Varsity coach Karrie Warner often refers to the sport as a dance. Once you become familiar with the game, you realize that’s more than a metaphor. While other “team” sports involve players working together, none are as totally dependent on communication, coordination and fluid movement as volleyball. Seldom can a point be scored (short of serving) that doesn’t involve a passer, a setter and a hitter working together. Blocking a spiked ball similarly requires synchronous, parallel leaping by at least two members at the net. All of this requires skill and agility, but the dance part adds harmonious movement and positioning.

Warner, reacting early in the season after the Lobos had lost four of their first five matches, commented that “the girls just haven’t got the dance yet.” They then played in a tournament on Sept. 2 at Sultan High and things started to gel. “They finally found it,” she exclaimed. That tournament was followed with three quick shut-out wins, ending in a decisive, final 3-0 victory against Cedar Park Christian on Senior Night, when the Lady Lobos put it all together.

Warner summed up the season: “These girls have grown tremendously this year. With freshman libero Avila Sausman running our back row, our serve receive having seen major improvement. Her sister, junior Ruby Sausman, has become a powerhouse hitter and an essential part of our attack. Our two middles — junior Kylie Willemsen and sophomore Amia Poole — have shown some of the most impressive growth on the team and are becoming our go-to hitters in the front row. Senior setter Betty Burt, a four-year varsity starter, will be incredibly hard to replace. She has been a consistent and steady presence in running our offense. However, Elli Patrick, who played up this year as an eighth grader and will be a freshman next season, should be ready for the challenge.”

The quality of play showed in the league awards, with Burt and Ruby Sausman garnering All-League Second Team honors, and Willemson selected for an Honorable Mention. Warner concluded, “With this group’s love for volleyball and their willingness to put in the work during the offseason, I believe next year will be a great year!”