After another successful volleyball regular season finishing with a 31-3 record that included going undefeated at home and a 22 game win streak that dates back to August 24th, the Varsity Volleyball team find themselves in painfully familiar territory, the TCAF State Playoffs.
In 2021 our 34-6 Lady Warriors took on a strong Westlake Academy team in the TCAF State Final, but came up short by a score of 2-3. In the same way, 2022 saw our Varsity Volleyball team play their toughest schedule to date, finishing with a 25-12 record and yet another appearance in the TCAF State Finals. They would face the Victory Christian Patriots, but fall by a score of 0-3.
After fumbling back-to-back state finals, and seeing major pieces depart the team, there was some uncertainty surrounding the 2023 campaign.
"After losing three starters with graduation, I had to turn my attention to reinforcing the setter and hitting positions," Head Coach Claudia Swann said in describing her mindset during the off-season, "I needed to get creative with the lineup."
It took only about three games for anyone watching this Warriors team to see that it "just felt different". When asked about this "feel" Swann said, "I don't know how to describe it. The chemistry was just there. Which is is something really unique, especially after bringing in a new setter to the team."
Claudia Swann took over the Varsity program in 2013. Her teams have seen varied amounts of success, most notably the last few seasons featuring State title appearances. She has seen athleticism and strength, talent and speed, but something unique about this Warrior squad, sets this season apart.
"This team is definitely hardworking and they hold each other accountable. They have a focused mindset, and that has allowed them to be successful throughout the season. Because of their mindset, this may be the best team I've coached at ICS."
In recent years, Coach Swann has allowed her teams to face tougher and tougher challenges as they prepare for the state playoffs. Frequent play against 6A, 5A, and 4A public schools have set the Warriors apart from their TCAF opponents. "You look at other TCAF schools and they are playing 15, maybe 20 games a season. Then, those games are mostly against private schools of the same caliber or lower. I can't imagine a season where we player fewer than 30 games. The ability for us to face off against larger public schools, I think, gives us an upper hand going into playoffs," Swann said.
You take all these variables into account, and the Warriors are only focused on one thing this weekend—a State Championship. When asked what her expectations are for this weekend, "Obviously, I would love to win a state championship…but at the end of the day I just want my team to play their best and walk off the court knowing they gave it there all."
The Warriors will have their first shot at giving it there all, tomorrow night at 5 PM CST against the Chisholm Trail Academy Trailblazers in the semifinal round of the TCAF State Playoffs.
