Cavaliers attitude shines through oncourt expression

Published 4:00 pm Saturday, September 23, 2006

KINGSTON — The Cavs just want to have fun.

Building upon a motto that has guided the Kingston Junior High volleyball team since its August summer camp, coach Su-A Stevens hopes to instill a love for the game in her players while allowing them to grow in a fun environment.

“This level, it’s not so competitive, the fact that we can even hit three balls is great,” Stevens said at practice Thursday. “I try to put plays in for them, but it’s still about loving the game and just having fun and that’s what needs to be on the court.”

In addition to the unstated quest for progress, one of Stevens’ goals for this year’s varsity squad is to be able to play in a libero formation. But first, fundamentals must be mastered, she said. The Cavs are well on the way to their goal following nearly a month of preseason practice in addition to the late August summer camp which Stevens held for all interested KJH athletes.

More than 60 girls turned out for this year’s team when practice began Aug. 28. Recently the field was narrowed to 30 and split into JV and varsity squads. Ashley Reddican and Jordan Tapp are the lone returners from last year’s varsity team. This year they will lead an attitude-driven group toward success in a thinking game.

“Girls are smart, you guys!” Stevens told her team at practice. “You are playing the smartest of all sports … it’s a thinking game.”

“We can help the younger girls in knowing what’s going on at all times and figuring out where we need to be on the floor,” said Tapp.

Looking ahead to the North Kitsap School District’s upcoming grade level transition which will turn Kingston Junior High into Kingston Middle School, Stevens also added three seventh graders to this year’s varsity squad to provide an experienced core for the 2007 season.

“I chose that because without having some experience on the court, next year when we transition from junior high to middle school, I wouldn’t have anyone to say, ‘This is how we do it.’ There would be no leadership,” Stevens said.

Leadership this season will come from Tapp and Reddican, along with six other freshmen who are entering their final season under the fiery third-year coach.

“She’s intense,” Tapp said of Stevens’ coaching style.

“She definitely knows how to get us up for games,” Reddican added.

After a month of solid practice, KJH’s first game is right around the corner as they travel to Oakland Bay at 3 p.m. Tuesday before returning to home to play Marcus Whitman Sept. 28 and hosting the first of the final two NK junior high school volleyball rivalries as Poulsbo comes to town Oct. 3.

And as Stevens looks toward the upcoming competition, the most exciting thing she sees is already in place.

“Just the girls,” she said. “It’s all about them.”