Adrenaline racing, sweat dripping, feet racing and the constant blow of the whistle. Each year brings something new, along with higher standards, more competition, tougher practices and increasing dedication. However, great things come out of this including new records, memories and companions and bonds through a sport that sculpts high school girls’ lives.

Bowie varsity volleyball has already begun and has executed momentous games, including difficult loses and legendary wins. With district on their mind, every game counts but more importantly the girls focus on learning to come together despite the drama and learn to play as a team.

“This year I feel like all of us really get along. There is no cliques and we do a lot of hanging out outside and previous years I feel like it wasn’t that way I feel like there was two groups, so the chemistry is really good this year,”  varsity captain Keara McGraw said.

AISD has changed the Bowie district, so this year volleyball will be competing against completely different teams. However, the girls are still extremely competitive about playing Westlake and Lake Travis.

“Our Westlake game was a pretty devastating loss because I think  honestly we are a team that could beat Westlake and if we played our game a little bit more than we should’ve beaten them,” sophomore Victoria McKenna said. “Lake Travis was a great win because we actually played really really well and I think we played the best we ever have.”

Despite the problems the team has faced this year they have had an undeniably successful start of the season with a win-loss score of 24-9 and within district a score of 1-1.

“From the start of the season we were a little rough but I feel like we worked out all the kinks and we really play together now so I feel like when play offs come well be a good team. As a team I want us to win district and go far in playoffs. As a captain, I want to be a good leader and someone who everyone can go to and who can pump everyone up,” McGraw said.

In previous years the team has had trouble with bonding and coming together despite their differences. This year, to solve to try and solve this problem the coaches are relying more on the captains to ensure that the team is getting along and acting like a family.

“At the beginning of the year we came up with all these words and we voted how good everyone was with each of those words,” McGraw said, “and so as a captain I’m responsible for making sure everyone is staying hard at work at practices, making sure everyone is together and if there is any issues going on making sure I’m there to help resolve it.”

Not only do the players and coaches focus on volleyball, but they focus on having fun, bonding and sharing happy moments with each other as well.

“They’re a funny team. Last week we had a team dinner and we just stayed up for hours laughing so I love the vibes and positivity from this team,” head volleyball coach Miguel Saenz.

Aside the minor setbacks, the team has already made some unforgettable memories and have played some amazing games. At the end of the day, all the girls work as a team toward the same goal and together they strive for greatness.

“This season is definitely going to go really well because we’re going to destroy inner district and then hopefully we’re going to go pretty deep in playoffs that’s what we’re focused on right now,” McKenna said.