The Lady Bears Volleyball team were victorious in their matches against Long and Liberty last Thursday (Aug. 25) after losing a Tuesday (Aug. 23) match against Savannah Arts Academy.
“We learned a lot about what we’ve got to do to get better to compete with them so far,” said Coach Robbie Spires about the loss to Savannah Arts.
Spires says the learning curve is just one step in the Lady Bears’ bigger goals for improvement.
When practice began the last week of May, most of the players were new to the sport.
“We had a couple of kids that were from other states who had played, but the vast majority had watched on TV, played it in PE or played in a church league, but nothing organized,” said Coach Spires.
According to Spires, bringing volleyball to PCHS has been a journey several years in the making.
Aside from Pierce and Brantley, volleyball has been played in the region’s other counties “at least” five to six years, Spires said.
There was a desire to increase the number of female sports at PCHS and interest among students.
Two years ago Coach Spires and a team of 10-12 volunteer athletes took advantage of the opportunity to play through a program at the Ware County Recreation Department.
After a hiatus, the program came back this past Spring. Nobody was excluded, and an open gym attracted over 70 students interested in participating.
“It kind of took off from there,” Spires said.
After being granted approval, tryouts were held in early May and selections were made.
With the exception of two weeks off due to Georgia High School Association rules, the team practiced all summer long, meeting three and four days a week.
Coach Spires retired in May.
Asked why she chose to return and coach volleyball, Spires cited a passion for the sport as her main reason.
“I love volleyball. That’s what I played in college and that’s what I’ve coached. I’ve coached college volleyball, I’ve coached high school volleyball (and) it’s something that. I just wanted to share,” she said.
Spires also spoke about the value of sports in rural communities like Pierce County, naming the opportunity for learning and meeting other kids, socialization, cooperation and teamwork as driving factors.
So far, those benefits have steadily emerged as the Lady Bears progress through their inaugural season.
“We’re holding our own.We’ve competed very evenly with everybody else that we played. We’re doing something better today than we did it yesterday,” said Coach Spires.
According to Spires, the community’s response has been strong.
Crowds have been “very, very good” and concessions have sold well.
For those not sold on the new sport, Spires invites them to attend a game.
“It’s probably one of the most exciting sports there is...In volleyball, it’s a reaction sport. There are things happening constantly. You got six people in the smallest court that could ever be,” said Spires.
“Come out and watch. You’ll fall in love with it. Whether you’re young or whether you’re old, it’s exciting to watch. It’s a great group of girls. They’ve got that great work ethic. They’re just good people. They are a good representation of what’s good about Pierce County.”
The Lady Bears’ next home match is scheduled for next Tuesday, Sept. 6, where they’ll face off against Brantley and Vidalia.
Junior Varsity plays at 4 p.m. Varsity matches begin at 6 and 7 p.m.
