FALL SPORTS ‘24: It’s more than a game for Vashon volleyball

Vashon’s volleyball program is learning much more than just a game.

For Head Coach Allison Trundle, who came in as an assistant coach and took over as head coach last year, volleyball is proving to be a conduit for all sorts of life skills.

Trundle has coached other sports but is new to volleyball — but don’t let that fool you. Vashon’s volleyball program has some serious instruction coming in.

Trundle brought a team out from the Evergreen State College this summer to put on a camp for the players — some of whom were eager to start training well before the season started — and Evergreen’s head coach has been mentoring Trundle as well, she said.

“I went out to Evergreen and watched their team … and learned a lot,” Trundle said. “It’s just super inspiring. So I utilize a lot of what I learned from them.”

That camp was a great chance for Vashon’s team to meet players who’ve gone on to compete at college, “and we’re hoping to continue working with them,” Trundle said.

Volleyball players fit specific roles on the court, and the team is stacked enough for there to be varsity (13 players), junior varsity (13) and c-team (5) squads.

The team set goals for themselves at the start of the year, Trundle said: Communication, team spirit and supporting each other — and winning, of course, but not at the expense of everything else.

Trundle has coached teams where the number one goal is “ruthlessly” winning. For this team — playing a sport that emphasizes teamwork so heavily — it’s also about building up the program and developing skills, she said.

“A lot of their goals were … very cooperative, honestly,” Trundle said. “We do a lot of drills. It’s a hard practice. But I try to to keep in mind that … they want to have fun. They want to work well with each other.”

Players come to practice early to help set up, check in on their teammates and work hard on their schoolwork, Trundle said. Plus, there’s the fundraising; from car washes to bake sales, athletes must raise money for the team to play in tournaments and buy new volleyballs, gear and uniforms.

On the court, their competition is nothing to sneeze at: “We’re playing people that play year-round,” Trundle said.

And that means there are victories and lessons to be found in every game.

“We just did a tournament, and they won one set [but not the game] against Auburn — a school of over 1000 people,” Trundle said. “It’s a huge school, and so the fact we won a set — it was some of the best volleyball that I’ve seen them play. They were on it consistently, and it was just great to see.”

Watch an inspiring or tough rally from the Vashon side and you’re sure to see another beautiful moment follow: The players come together afterward to cheer or commiserate, then hug and regroup for the next play.

It’s a practice Trundle took from watching and reading about volleyball at the Olympic Games. It’s a skill the American team has used to come together, and one she wanted to bring back to Vashon.

The Vashon volleyball team even practices role-playing those “come together” moments, she said — praising each other’s successes, acknowledging their own mistakes, and catching their breath together when the chips are down in-between rallies.

“I try to teach things that the players can utilize [not just] in the game, but also utilize in life,” Trundle said. “So it’s kind of like a way to replay a moment.”

Key returning players this year include Senior Captain Kyla Scheff, #4, who is back as the team’s lead libero — making big dives, hitting jump serves, and giving solid support on the court. She is the team’s defensive leader, Trundle said.

There’s also Senior Captain Maddie Youman, #12, returning with strong setting skills, powerful float serves, and quickness on the court. She leads the team’s offense.

Senior Jane Housman, #7, brings top-tier athleticism, strong passing, and setting abilities, and is a consistently strong server. And Senior Mylie Limont, #14, stands out as the team’s middle hitter, with solid defensive skills and a killer serve. She’s the team lead in the front defense and offense.

Kati Otto is the team’s assistant coach and the mom of Lucy Otto, Sophmore captain and right side hitter on the JV team.

Volunteer volleyball coach Leslie Serebryakova focuses on hitting and blocking with the team. Her daughter is a student and soccer player at McMurray. And volunteer coach Cole Donahue brings “a lot of fun and team experience” to the mix, Trundle said. Both volunteer coaches played the sport in college.

Got a kid interested in learning volleyball? Younger children can sign up for the “Pirate Pals” volleyball clinic after school on October 8, 9 and 11 to learn from and even play with the high school team on October 14. Sign-ups close soon. Fill out the Pirate Pals registration form and return it to the VHS office with payment by Friday, Oct. 4 to get involved. Contact Trundle at vashonvolleyball@gmail.com for questions and more information.

SCHEDULED GAMES

(All dates include JV and Varsity times.)

• 5/6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3: Charles Wright Academy (At home)

• 5/6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7: Klahowya Secondary School (At home)

• 4:30/6:00 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10: Sultan High School (At home)

• 5/6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14: Bellevue Christian High School (At home)

• 5/6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16: Annie Wright Schools (At Annie Wright)

• 5/6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17: Cascade Christian School (At home)

• 5/6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21: East Jefferson High School (At Chimacum High School)

• 5/6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23: Life Christian Academy (At home)

• 5/6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28: Seattle Christian School (At Seattle Christian)

• 5/6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30: Charles Wright Academy (At Charles Wright)

On the JV team, Sophmore Outside Hitter and Defensive Specialist #6 Marley Grantor, Junior outside hitter #3 Ada Umbach and Senior Setter #7 Jane Howsman compete against East Jefferson High School at Vashon on September 25. (Alex Bruell photo)

On the varsity team, Senior middle hitter #14 Mylie Limont, Freshman outside hitter #8 Ellie Wolcott and Senior Captain Setter #12 Maddie Youman compete against East Jefferson High School at Vashon on September 25. (Alex Bruell photo)