On the Rocky Mountain varsity volleyball team, there is a roster of 14 girls. 2 freshmen, 3 seniors, 2 sophomores, and 7 juniors. Currently, they are ranked No. 2 in the district, behind Sky View High School. They are a positive and encouraging team with a wide variety of ages and all talented in their own way.
Not only is the team full of amazing players, but there is a certain difference of ages. With the two youngest players, the freshmen, Kelbie Giberson and Allie Chandler have a very positive impact on the team, helping lead them to victory. Kelbie plays the right side/opposite hitter, which is the person on the right side that hits/spikes the ball, and Allie plays outside hitter, which is the person that hits on the left side and passes the ball. According to the popular sports website, Max Preps, Kelbie Giberson’s stats are 19 sets played and 3 assists, and Allie Chandler’s stats are 16 sets played and 2 assists.
On Tuesday, Sept. 16th, the Rocky Varsity Volleyball team played Timberline High School. The starting lineup was Bella Haener (junior), Chloe Hansen (junior), Ava Baumann (sophomore), Sophie Tanner (junior), Claire Ranstrom (junior), and Olivia Sangsland (junior). According to Allie Chandler, the Grizzlies had previously lost in five sets in Idaho Falls to Timberline. Although they had previously lost, the Grizzlies came back and won all three sets. The score was S1: 25 – 19, S2: 25 – 20, and S3: 25 – 23. During the game, Chandler got to play, and according to her, “I server saved past the three ball, and we got a kill off of it.”
Freshman Kelbie Giberson said, “They treat me really good. There are a lot of nice girls on the team, and it’s a really good environment.”
Allie Chandler replied similarly, saying, “They treat me really good. They’re all really nice.” This shows how kind the women on the varsity team are. Everyone is very respectful and has a welcoming environment to new people, such as the freshman. School sports, like volleyball, are an amazing experience to create bonds with people and feel included, and that is exactly what the people on the girls varsity volleyball team do.