Senior Annalyn Concepcion works on the basics as the team prepares for the upcoming season. Photo by Adam Wolfe

By Adam Wolfe

Practice has officially begun for the Maricopa High School volleyball team, and despite being a fairly young team, they have high hopes for their season.

Maricopa volleyball hasn’t qualified for the state playoffs in three decades. Talented players have come through, but no team has been able to piece together a playoff run since the 1980s. This year’s girls believe they can change that.

They will be somewhat inexperienced, but dropping from Arizona Interscholastic Association Division II to Division III combined with the tremendous amount of talent they have will provide them with a great opportunity to challenge for a playoff spot.

“We have a new coach and it’s a lot of change,” senior middle blocker Elizabeth Gallon said. “It’s still the same program, but it’s a new one at the same time. It’s going to be a lot of changes, I guess; new changes that will benefit us.”

Embracing change starts with the coach and trickles down to the players. The positive focus of Holley appears to be reaching the players. The athletes are viewing each challenge as a step to their goals instead of an obstacle.

“We do have a new coach, but I’m really excited because she is really determined and focused for us to do well this year,” senior libero Annalyn Concepcion said. “Personally I just really want to enjoy this year. It’s my last year here and I expect it to be really fun and for us to work really hard.”

The team will open their season on Aug. 26 with a scrimmage against Marana Mountain View at 5 p.m. in Tucson. Their first regular season game will be the following Monday at 5 p.m. at Horizon Honors High School, and their first home game is Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. against Kofa High School.

Adam Wolfe
Adam Wolfe
http://inmaricopa.com
Adam was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but spent the majority of his young life in Lakeside, Arizona. After graduating from Blue Ridge High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He has been working in the field of journalism since 2010. Adam has worked in a wide range of fields including professional sports and international media relations. He has also been a breaking news reporter, sports columnist, government reporter and community reporter. He spent a year in Denver, Colorado before coming to Maricopa in 2015. In his spare time, he will often be found enjoying the great outdoors. If he isn’t hiking or fishing, he is likely hopelessly cheering on his Arizona sports teams. Adam was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but spent the majority of his young life in Lakeside, Arizona. After graduating from Blue Ridge High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He has been working in the field of journalism since 2010. Adam has worked in a wide range of fields including professional sports and international media relations. He has also been a breaking news reporter, sports columnist, government reporter and community reporter. He spent a year in Denver, Colorado before coming to Maricopa in 2015. In his spare time, he will often be found enjoying the great outdoors. If he isn’t hiking or fishing, he is likely hopelessly cheering on his Arizona sports teams. Adam was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but spent the majority of his young life in Lakeside, Arizona. After graduating from Blue Ridge High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He has been working in the field of journalism since 2010. Adam has worked in a wide range of fields including professional sports and international media relations. He has also been a breaking news reporter, sports columnist, government reporter and community reporter. He spent a year in Denver, Colorado before coming to Maricopa in 2015. In his spare time, he will often be found enjoying the great outdoors. If he isn’t hiking or fishing, he is likely hopelessly cheering on his Arizona sports teams.
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