Wrapping up Inaugural Basketball Season & Volleyball Begins
By Monte Youngs
| VOLLEYBALL ROSTERS | |
|---|---|
| WHITE TEAM (TEAM #1) | BLUE TEAM (TEAM #14) |
| Jasmine | Gabriella |
| Taylor | Iliana* |
| Abigail | Julia Kate* |
| Jessie* | Stevie* |
| Isabel* | Ocean |
| Haydyn* | Alex* |
| Gabriella* | Carmen |
| Rowan* | Lauren* |
| * Denotes returning players from fall 2007 team |
|
The 5th–6th and 7th–8th grade basketball teams concluded their seasons in early March. While the 5th–6th grade team wound up winless, it was not surprising for a team comprising virtually all first-time players. However, the lack of scoreboard success did not mean there was a lack of success. Everyone likes to win, and is disappointed to lose. Some teams give up when things don’t go well, but our GSA girls never got down. They simply worked harder in each practice, and played harder and better in games as the season progressed. Defense, passing, fighting for rebounds and playing for long periods of time (due to the flu epidemic that swept the team) — our girls worked hard to improve their skills and showed great improvement over the course of a nine-game season. Scoring, although sparse, was led by point guards Brianna and Shelby, with contributions from Rowan, Stevie, Abigail, Lauren and Julia Kate.
| Volleyball Schedule | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| TEAM #1 Division I | TEAM #14 Division II | ||
| 3/27 | 6:30 p.m. | 3/27 | 7:30 p.m. |
| 4/3 | 5:00 p.m. | 4/3 | 6:30 p.m. |
| 4/10 | 7:00 p.m. | 4/10 | 6:00 p.m. |
| 4/17 | 6:00 p.m. | 4/17 | 7:00 p.m |
| 4/24 | 7:00 p.m. | 4/24 | 6:00 p.m. |
| 5/1 | 6:00 p.m. | 5/1 | 5:00 p.m. |
| 5/8 | 6:30 p.m. | 5/8 | 7:30 p.m. |
| 5/15 | 7:30 p.m. | 5/15 | 6:30 p.m. |
The 7th–8th grade team tasted more success, with Megan, Sam, Jenni and Maggie each making strong contributions to their team, which included players from the Austin Montessori School. Overall, as in any challenging, learning experience, our two teams played through adversity with heads held high, and laid the groundwork for more success next season.
Two weeks after basketball’s end, our 5th-6th grade girls started their second season in the West Austin Youth Association (WAYA) Senior Girls Division volleyball league. Last fall, GSA’s 11-member team—again comprising a group of girls with little or no prior experience—learned the game from the ground up, steadily improved, and won their final match in thrilling fashion. Coach Rory Garcia and I are extremely happy to have 14 GSA girls participating this season. In fact, we’re happy to have TWO GSA teams in the league! Both teams practice together on Wednesday afternoons, followed by separate games on Thursday evenings. They’re in two different conferences, so will not meet during regular season play, but may meet in the season-ending tournament. It’s going to be an exciting season— come support the GSA teams!
Congratulations!