Arvada West High School Volleyball Season Preview

As the volleyball season approaches, fans of Arvada West High School can look forward to an exciting and competitive team. Head Coach Deb Erickson shared her thoughts on the upcoming season and the potential of her team. The AWE team has been striving to break into the Regional playoff for the past two seasons and with the talent, determination, and chemistry of the current team, they are poised to take the final step. One of the strengths of this year’s team is the top returning players from last season. According to Coach Erickson, the team has been close to cracking the top 36 rankings, only to be pushed out due to other teams’ upsets. This year, they are determined to secure a top-25 spot and make it to the post-season playoffs. Returning players Sammy Guenter and Julianna Wandler are expected to show their versatile skills on the court and be leaders for the team. In addition, Alex Williams, returning from last year’s 6-2 setting duo, will provide great playmaking abilities and a strong rapport with her teammates. As for potential new players, Coach Erickson highlighted the talents of Eloise Bearcomesout who was injured early last season. Now, fully recovered, she is expected to make a significant impact on the team. With her determination and skills, she is sure to cause a stir on the court and contribute to the team’s success. Building a cohesive and supportive team is crucial for any sports team, and Coach Erickson understands that. She explained that she doesn't give too much importance to the captain role and instead encourages all players to be the best versions of themselves. However, she does look to her senior players to set an example and guide the younger players. The team strives to build camaraderie by organizing team dinners and even playing non-volleyball games such as pickleball together. They also have a unique practice of creating “families” within the team, where players from different teams within the program bond and support each other. One of the biggest challenges in preparing for this season has been tryouts. With approximately 100 players trying out for the team in just two days, it is a difficult task to assess each player’s abilities. But after this challenging process, the team has been selected, and now the players and coach are eagerly looking forward to the season.