The dedication of a Lambert volleyball player isn’t tested only once the school year begins, but throughout the entire summer as well. Current varsity volleyball player, Maya Keator, lists their summer obligations as conditioning sessions from 7-9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, open gym on Wednesdays from 7-8:30 a.m., a four day training camp at Clemson University in South Carolina, and a Pro-Volley team camp at Lambert. Although having so many requirements may seem like an unpleasant task to most, Keator and her fellow teammates see these challenges as a chance to prove their endurance, talent, ability to take direction and, most importantly, that they would be an encouraging and uplifting addition to the team.

Keator states that in Lambert’s volleyball program, position and playing time have to be earned, not exclusively through skill, but through proven commitment to the team. Not only do attending summer workouts have an enormous effect on the chances of a player making the team, but performance at an official tryout also plays a huge part in selecting who deserves the positions the most. The average tryout for Lambert volleyball includes running a mile in under 8 minutes, counting the number of push-ups and sit-ups done in 1 minute, a shuttle run and a test of court movement, along with an evaluation of basic volleyball skills: passing, serving, setting, blocking and hitting. Once a player has made the team, they are obligated to attend daily practices after school which, according to Keator, makes homework much more difficult to accomplish.

However, what she says makes all of the training and conditioning worthwhile is the inviting team environment created by Lambert’s varsity volleyball athletes. Spending so much time together over the summer to strengthen their abilities as a team has brought all of the girls newfound friendships. Keator believes that one of the most important aspects of volleyball is that the team bonds together off the court. Playing the sport that she loves alongside other girls with whom she has practiced with for months and share the same passion makes the time and effort put into the sport worth it.

Come and support Lambert’s varsity girl’s volleyball team at their upcoming home game on September 25, and the region tournament taking place on October 9, at Alpharetta High School!