After much anticipation, the Lady Chargers beach volleyball team recently announced their schedule for their rookie season, which includes a lone home game against Wesleyan College on April 22.
The Lady Chargers kicked off their inaugural beach volleyball season on Feb. 7-8 at Truett McConnell University, an NAIA program.
Coached by Coordinator of Student Engagement Clifton Puckett, the team consists of 12 returning players from the indoor volleyball team and two newcomers.
“It feels great to start beach volleyball at GHC,” Puckett said. “Indoor volleyball has been such a hit, and with beach volleyball being an emerging sport it seemed like a natural addition.”
The team wasn’t reluctant to heap their own praises back on Puckett, who stepped up to coach them at a moment’s notice during the indoor volleyball season. “He’s the glue that holds it all together. We all are very, very thankful because it just wouldn’t be possible without him,” veteran player Josephina Tolsma said.
When asked about the team’s adjustments to the new style of play, Tolsma said, “You don’t have the safety net of five other people on the board to protect you.”
“It’s also a little bit more cardio heavy,” Tolsma added. “I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to run on the sand before, but it’s exhausting.
With beach volleyball fielding only two players on either side of the net at a time, the pressure is greater on each individual player.
“When it’s only you and one other person on the court, you’re very, very reliant on that other person,” Tolsma said. “You have to really persevere in order to be good teammates.”
Volleyball, especially beach volleyball, may seem difficult to those who have never tried it, which may discourage potential players who would otherwise enjoy the game.
When asked if she had any words of encouragement for women interested in joining volleyball, Tolsma said, “Putting yourself in that situation in the first place is what is going to give you that edge of believing that you can conquer tough and new situations.”
The team has the opportunity to establish a strong foundation this season and set the stage for future success.
“We’ll all look back years later and see them as the pioneers of beach volleyball at GHC,” Puckett said.
