DSHA Volleyball Wins State and Finishes Season with a Top 25 National Ranking

The DSHA Varsity Volleyball team finished its season with a WIAA State Championship in early November, the fourth for the program. Additionally, in mid-November they received national recognition from the USA Today Sports/American Volleyball Coaches Association National High School Volleyball Super 25 final ranking, finishing 19th overall in the nation with a final record of 34-6.

A Q&A conversation with DSHA Varsity Volleyball team captains Bella Lipski, DSHA ’23 , and Sophia Wendlick, DSHA ’24 , and team chaplains Olivia deGuzman, DSHA, ’23 , and Ava Kharitou, DSHA ’24

Q: You’ve had an incredible season. What were your team goals at the beginning of the season?

A: We had five main goals and they were listed in our locker room for the entire season. Number one was to win state. The others were to: place top three in all tournaments; win (GMC) conference; win sectionals and regionals; and grow as a community and be a family to each other. We accomplished all of these, except for one really tough tournament in Chicago (with teams from multiple states,) because everyone actively committed. We spent a lot of time in practice revisiting the goals and holding each other accountable. Everyone was all in.

Q: When you look back on your season, what are your thoughts on all that you have accomplished?

A: It is still sinking in for almost all of us. We worked so hard and had so much fun. It is amazing to look back knowing that what we hoped would happen is actually possible. And to watch the video back of the final point at state and see it happen is still the best feeling. It is so special because we had so many conversations about our roles. We didn’t switch those up on the court that much during games, but every single person embodied their role so well in practice and in play. There was no negativity. We truly cheered each other on all season. We stayed engaged in seeking one goal at a time. Our captains kept us grounded and we had the freedom from our coaches to work through any challenges with each other. Before each practice we would talk about what worked well and what we could improve on. We really focused on serve receive, consistent passes, missing little-to-no serves and celebrating well. We also focused on keeping positive body language and holding each other accountable.

Q: After you accomplished winning conference, sectionals, and regionals, how did you prepare for the WIAA State Tournament?

A: Our practices before state were some of our best—we were zoned in and worked so hard. We spent so much time together getting to know each other off the court over the season, that by the time state came around we had built a bond and trust both on and off the court. This allowed us to play aggressive knowing we would cover each other, hold each other accountable, and celebrate our successes together. Before state we did a chapel time with prayer and affirmations, and reminded each other of all we accomplished together—including how we were all best friends. We also each wrote down something we were scared of going into state. It was helpful to know that as an individual, you weren’t the only one who was nervous. And it allowed us to let go of any apprehensions beforehand. It helped the nerves to turn into excitement and confidence.