Seventh grade Lady Bears celebrate perfect season
River View Junior High’s seventh grade volleyball team and Coach Hope Kirker gathered together on Oct. 23 at the school to celebrate their 18-0 season and ECOL championship.
WARSAW – According to Jalynn West, it took a lot of hard work, plus some blood, sweat and tears, but the River View Junior High seventh grade volleyball team can now call itself ECOL Champs.
The young Lady Bears celebrated their 18-0 championship season with a party at the school on Oct. 23.
“We all wanted this and we all got it together in the end,” said Miyah Davis.
There were 13 girls on the team, which was led by first year head coach Hope Kirker. At least five of the girls had played Junior Olympics Volleyball before. Three were on biddy league teams and several never played volleyball before.
“They developed so much over the season,” Kirker said.
Cayla Shrimplin’s favorite part of the season was playing Coshocton.
“They were a lot of competition,” she said. “Some teams we were a lot better than, but we were pretty even with them so it was competitive.”
There also were points during the season where they had their ups and downs and had to learn lessons the hard way.
“We played Zanesville who I think was like 0-16 and they took us to three sets,” Abigail Walters said. “We had to work harder for it because we went out there with big heads.”
However, not all of the memories though are from games.
“My favorite part of the season was team bonding,” West said. “This team is like family.”
Walters agreed with her.
“When I came to junior high I didn’t think I would have any friends, but because of this team I have a lot more friends,” she said.
Shrimplin said this season is just the beginning for them.
“We want to follow up with this all the way through high school,” she said.
The team also included Jordyn Aronhalt, Adison Smith, Reece Slaughter, Alivia Spaulding, Abigail Lorenz, Emma Nelson, Kayla Dulgar, Vivian Heddleson, and Lexi Slade. Kirker is hoping to move up with them for their eighth grade year.
“This season felt great,” Kirker said. “These girls put in a lot of hard work. Most of the time I’m a yeller, but during games I was able to just sit because they did what they needed to do. They are a great bunch of girls and I’m definitely looking forward to next season.”
Category: High School, Sports
