Sports Update
Let the Games Begin: Plano focusing more on matches, less on drills in practice
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@starlocalnews.com
Most volleyball practices focus on skill drills, but new Plano Senior head coach Teri Minnis wasted little time in letting her team know they'd practice a little different.
The Lady Wildcats are focused on scrimmaging 6-on-6.
"Whether it is club or high school practice, it's always about drills, drills, drills, so this change is good," said Natalie Fazio, Plano junior right side. "The drills can really help on the basics, but scrimmaging shows how you react during a game or how you see the court."
Practices officially started Monday with Plano taking part in two, two-hour sessions each day prior to scrimmages against other teams Friday.
Minnis, who replaced former head coach Jennifer Cron when she departed for Flower Mound Marcus last month, estimated 45-60 minutes of each practice being devoted to scrimmages.
"Last year we had a lot more drills and this year our practices feature more of a game-like environment," said Madi Morell, senior middle blocker.
Though it is just practice, one word came up repeatedly to describe the scrimmages.
"We have been playing a lot of matches to see how our flow of play looks and these girls have been getting really competitive," Minnis said. "Obviously as a coach, that's something you like to see."
"Oh yeah, these scrimmages get real competitive," Morell added.
The losers haven't had to go through any semblance of consequences, though that could change.
"No, there hasn't been anything at stake in the scrimmages ... yet," Morell said.
Though a week of practice is in the books, it took a couple days to get the scrimmages started in full effect as Monday and Tuesday was focused on tryouts. In addition to the returning varsity players, of which Plano has eight, 65 kids from Clark and Vines High School were part of this year's tryouts.
"It wasn't as chaotic as I thought it would be; it was actually pretty streamlined," Minnis said. "I had a good idea of what we had coming back from studying last year's team and then we had camp last week, so I got to see a lot of the girls then."
Minnis was impressed, and not just by the varsity talent.
"We have a lot of young, up-and-coming girls on JV too," she said.
The JV girls are already into their practice while the varsity players wait for their first session of the day. Before Minnis made her way out of the locker room Thursday, the Lady Wildcats were stretching, talking, watching the JV and handing out team sheets. Once 10:30 a.m. hits, the girls take the court for 3-on-3 or "backcourt triples." That is followed by the butterfly in which all girls are hitting on the court at the same time. Basic hitting and serve receive work usually follows.
"Those drills are in a very controlled setting," Minnis said, "so we can really work on technique."
Even during drills, Plano is anxious to get back to competing.
"I've been getting a lot of, "when are we going to play, when are we going scrimmage," Minnis said. "Like I said, they are very competitive."
After drills, it's time to put the newly learned skills into action via scrimmaging.
"I think our run-throughs have gone really well," said Audrey Landry, senior setter. "Not only does that get us game ready, but we also get to see how everyone responds in actual game situations."
Landry noted this week's practices as an avenue to help the team get closer. That was also helped by Wednesday's kick-off dinner at Spring Creek Barbecue.
As for who ate the most barbecue?
"Definitely (senior outside hitter) Sam Seal," Fazio said with a sly smile.
Minnis could not confirm that.
"I honestly don't know," she said with a laugh. "I just kind of turned my back because I didn't want to see that chaos."
Plano is more controlled on the court and the team feels it is already coming together in anticipation of Tuesday's season openers against Sachse and Rockwall-Heath.
"I'm a little surprised because the whole transition with the new coach and getting practice started hasn't really been that crazy at all," Fazio said. "We have a lot of players back, and obviously that helps, but it seems like everyone has already bonded."
The Lady Wildcats are focused on scrimmaging 6-on-6.
"Whether it is club or high school practice, it's always about drills, drills, drills, so this change is good," said Natalie Fazio, Plano junior right side. "The drills can really help on the basics, but scrimmaging shows how you react during a game or how you see the court."
Practices officially started Monday with Plano taking part in two, two-hour sessions each day prior to scrimmages against other teams Friday.
Minnis, who replaced former head coach Jennifer Cron when she departed for Flower Mound Marcus last month, estimated 45-60 minutes of each practice being devoted to scrimmages.
"Last year we had a lot more drills and this year our practices feature more of a game-like environment," said Madi Morell, senior middle blocker.
Though it is just practice, one word came up repeatedly to describe the scrimmages.
"We have been playing a lot of matches to see how our flow of play looks and these girls have been getting really competitive," Minnis said. "Obviously as a coach, that's something you like to see."
"Oh yeah, these scrimmages get real competitive," Morell added.
The losers haven't had to go through any semblance of consequences, though that could change.
"No, there hasn't been anything at stake in the scrimmages ... yet," Morell said.
Though a week of practice is in the books, it took a couple days to get the scrimmages started in full effect as Monday and Tuesday was focused on tryouts. In addition to the returning varsity players, of which Plano has eight, 65 kids from Clark and Vines High School were part of this year's tryouts.
"It wasn't as chaotic as I thought it would be; it was actually pretty streamlined," Minnis said. "I had a good idea of what we had coming back from studying last year's team and then we had camp last week, so I got to see a lot of the girls then."
Minnis was impressed, and not just by the varsity talent.
"We have a lot of young, up-and-coming girls on JV too," she said.
The JV girls are already into their practice while the varsity players wait for their first session of the day. Before Minnis made her way out of the locker room Thursday, the Lady Wildcats were stretching, talking, watching the JV and handing out team sheets. Once 10:30 a.m. hits, the girls take the court for 3-on-3 or "backcourt triples." That is followed by the butterfly in which all girls are hitting on the court at the same time. Basic hitting and serve receive work usually follows.
"Those drills are in a very controlled setting," Minnis said, "so we can really work on technique."
Even during drills, Plano is anxious to get back to competing.
"I've been getting a lot of, "when are we going to play, when are we going scrimmage," Minnis said. "Like I said, they are very competitive."
After drills, it's time to put the newly learned skills into action via scrimmaging.
"I think our run-throughs have gone really well," said Audrey Landry, senior setter. "Not only does that get us game ready, but we also get to see how everyone responds in actual game situations."
Landry noted this week's practices as an avenue to help the team get closer. That was also helped by Wednesday's kick-off dinner at Spring Creek Barbecue.
As for who ate the most barbecue?
"Definitely (senior outside hitter) Sam Seal," Fazio said with a sly smile.
Minnis could not confirm that.
"I honestly don't know," she said with a laugh. "I just kind of turned my back because I didn't want to see that chaos."
Plano is more controlled on the court and the team feels it is already coming together in anticipation of Tuesday's season openers against Sachse and Rockwall-Heath.
"I'm a little surprised because the whole transition with the new coach and getting practice started hasn't really been that crazy at all," Fazio said. "We have a lot of players back, and obviously that helps, but it seems like everyone has already bonded."
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