While most high school sports teams bring a mix of experience and youth, the Sedona Red Rock volleyball team takes that to an extreme.
On the court, the Scorpions feature a trio of seniors — Mary Westervelt, Amari Sonn and Morgan Fritz — who are all four-year players. The remainder of the roster trends much younger, with no other seniors and no juniors on the team. Despite the youth of the roster, this team does carry strong internal goals.
“I feel that as long as everyone keeps working really hard and stays positive that we have a good shot at state,” Westervelt said, stressing the potential of the team’s younger players. “It has to be 100% at practice, going hard, putting in every bit towards the goal of wanting to win — that’s the goal. Obviously along those lines we will get better the harder we practice. With everyone going 100% with this team, we will win.”
Returning to coach the program in 2019 is John Parks, who previously coached the team for 23 years and is returning after a two-year hiatus.
Parks noted that the early practices are being spent trying to build the depth that more veteran-laden teams he’s coached in the past have had. He’s spent a lot of time trying to stress the importance of the players controlling what’s in their hands, such as a strong effort and attitude. The coach is also hoping that the program can rediscover some of the success that it’s had in the past.
“In the history of the school, we’ve always been a contender,” Parks said. “That’s what we’re hoping for again.”
A young roster poses some undeniable challenges. The strongest high school teams are often the ones that have a high concentration of experienced upperclassmen.
The Scorpions are expecting challenges from a young roster. While acknowledging the challenges, though, the team’s veterans also see the positives in being surrounded with so many underclassmen.
“It’s been an interesting go-around,” Fritz said. “They’re young so they haven’t been around the game as long — but they’re also learning. They see us doing stuff and go, ‘oh, okay,’ so they kind of adapt to us.”
Rebounding from an 8-15 season is obviously important for the SRRHS team. On top of that, the players on this team want their games to be a desired attraction for the people of Sedona.
“We’re trying to get the community members out for all of our games and make this a town tradition, to come and support our school,” Westervelt said. “If anyone out there isn’t doing anything on Tuesday or Thursday, come support our girls.”
Michael Dixon can be reached at 282-7795, Ext. 131, or e-mail to mdixon@larsonnewspapers.com
