From volleyball clinics and five years of school volleyball to playing three years of club volleyball and competing in the national championships, Ilsa Carlson and Elaina Newman have the unique experience of being the only two freshmen on the girls’ varsity volleyball team this fall.
After a long and tiring tryout process consisting of about 100 girls — half of them freshmen — Carlson and Newman were relieved to find out that they had made the varsity team together.
“[Finding out about making varsity] was very exciting. We had both been put together on the court with the varsity girls. We looked up to them and we were hoping that we could get on a team with them and learn from them this year,” Newman said. “Especially being together, that was a really exciting part, [because] usually they don’t put two freshmen [on varsity], so that was also nerve-racking. [But], we were in that together.”
Playing varsity volleyball is demanding, with daily practices, matches, conditioning, and speed training. Carlson and Newman mentioned how it is especially hard for freshmen to adapt to the sport’s commitment as it can be a large adjustment from previous experience. The higher level of competition and increased pressure challenge them to adapt, offering a new perspective on their opponents and teammates.
“It’s different having such a big age gap because then [looking at] everyone you think, wow, they’re that good and they’re so much older than us. It makes me have more motivation to get better because by the time I’m their age, I’ll be able to do that,” Carlson said.
This experience not only challenges Carlson and Newman with a higher level of play but also immerses them in new social dynamics within the team, giving them the chance to build connections with upperclassmen.
“It’s a really good learning experience, I love being able to see Ella on our team, the D1 recruit, and that’s not every day. In club [volleyball], you wouldn’t be able to look at someone like that and get to train with her,” Newman said. “Also [being on varsity affects] the social aspect of school, getting to know our big sisters, as we’re kind of treated like little sisters to the seniors on the team.”
Volleyball has played a large part in both Carlson’s and Newman’s lives, inspired by family members who played the sport. Over time, the two have developed a mindset and passion for the game that continues to drive them.
“[My favorite thing about volleyball is] how competitive it is, how you always are moving, and how you always have to work together as a team to get a point,” Carlson said. “It’s not just a solo sport. You have to learn how to communicate with others.”
