Due to the boys volleyball players’ close friendships off the volleyball court, the team has grown, bonded, and flourished into the brotherhood-oriented team that they are today.
According to senior Gabe Williams, since the team consists of almost all seniors, the boys are really hoping to “end this final season with a bang.”
Because the team has grown so close over the past four years, their team chemistry and friendships have only gotten stronger. “At our core, we have been together for all 4 years of high school, we have impeccable chemstry and we’re willing to put it on the line for our teammates,” senior Jacob White said.
According to Williams, this close dynamic between all of them was created through “years of playing together in season and through the off season as well as with things like team bonding opportunities.”
There are many important factors that result in a well-rounded and balanced team. However, for Williams one of the most important aspects of the team as well as the best way to “describe [their] team is with the word friendship.”
“We’ve all been playing with each other for a while now and despite all the challenges we have had to overcome in the end we are more than just a volleyball team, we are a group of friends as well,” Williams said.
For senior Derek Stefanowicz, in order to achieve success as a team and win as many games as possible this season, it is important to focus on teamwork rather than their individual skills. “Because our goal this year is to win as a team and reach victory, teamwork plays a role in this because it’s impossible to win without playing as a team,” Stefanowicz said.
For these boys, volleyball is more than just a game. A lot of what happens off of the court affects what happens on the court, so having close friendships benefit their team in many ways.
“As a squad we have put in a lot of hard work in the off season to improve as individuals, not only in sport but also as human beings, allowing us to come back and be better as an entire team,” White said.
Teamwork and brotherhood is very important for every team to consist of. Without this unity between the players, the team would lack cohesion and the bond that is needed in order to function effectively.
“As a team, we operate as one entity, so without teamwork we would crumble. It makes it easy to perform for people that are closer to brothers than teammates as well as performing for yourself,” White said.
Knowing that they are representing their school helps the athletes strive for greatness during every game.
“I love playing volleyball for Souderton because it’s the feeling you get when winning for your high school and getting the adrenaline for winning for the name of Souderton,”Stefanowicz said.