Despite the losses that the volleyball team have experience this season, they continue to learn and grow as a whole, pulling themselves back together and learning new techniques to help them with the next season.

Since school began, yet the varsity volleyball players have been practicing since August 8 and throughout the summer they developed new skills.

The season began a few weeks before school started and the girls want to make this another amazing season.

The Lady Eagles have won 11 games and lost 17. Some of the losing games were very close to victory

The relationship the girls have with coach Mandy Thomas is very close. They are like my own kids,” Thomas said.

Junior Marranda Del Leon who’s been coached by Thomas for the past three years has built a strong bond with her.

“Coach Thomas is one of the most motivating coaches I have ever had. She is definitely that one person I could go to for anything, she’s very caring,” Del Leon said.

She said it’s not just her who has noticed their bond, but the volleyball manager Makaila Villarreal as well.

“She’s so great. She has that tough love with them. She makes sure the girls know that she’s not just their coach; she’s also their friend,” Villarreal said.

The importance of building strong relationships has been well documented in many recent studies.

Researches have shown, that when people develop these quality relationship bonds, they are more likely to have, stronger immune system, improved mental health, and increased chance of surviving major illness due to strong bonds — according to a NCBI study.

The varsity team has gained another player named Brittany Roberts.

“She’s a freshman from Parades Middle School and is a big help on the right side,” Thomas said.

“We’re hoping to work on a lot this year and improve our passes, serves and working together as a team,” Thomas said.

The coach said she truly appreciates all the effort that is put into being a strong team.

“Working with these girls just makes me stronger,” Thomas said