As their high school volleyball careers end, three seniors take time to reflect on the past four years. The players are Cheyenne Strohkirch, Ava Cooper, and Zoey Gerwitz. They shared a few of their favorite memories, where they plan to play after high school, and many more interesting events/experiences. These three seniors all had a great season, and they shared a few of their highlights from this season.
Zoey Gerwitz stated that her highlight of this season would be playing in an environment where all of the girls on the team are supportive and uplifting of each other.
“In the past, the girls on the team have not always wanted the best for the team, however this year the girls have been working as a team rather than on their own,” Ava Cooper explained. Cheyenne Strohkirch’s highlight of the season was getting her 1000 assists award. Not only did she get her 1000 assists award she also holds the record for Farmington volleyball. The girls discussed what they look forward to as they go on with their season. Ava Cooper is ready for conferences and districts. “We have a lot of fight left in us to go past districts and possibly make it to state,” said Zoey Gerwitz. Then the girls shared their favorite memories over the past four years. All of them had similar favorites but one memory was recent. At a home game, Ava Cooper cut her finger while attempting to pop a balloon, and had to get stitches, then after she got stitches she played five sets of volleyball. This was quite impressive and made the game even more memorable.
Throughout a volleyball season, the team experienced many injuries along the way. Some injuries include sprained ankles, back pain, knee pain, hip pain, bruises, bleeding, etc. Not only is there physical pain but there is also mental pain. The girls expressed how stressful a game can be because they feel the need to outperform so they can play to their best ability.
These seniors are also involved in other after-school activities, like having jobs or being involved in other clubs. And when asked they said the way they keep track of all their activities is by using weekly planners.
The girls discussed what sports they would play if they did not play volleyball. Zoey Gerwitz said that she would probably dance because she used to when she was younger. When her dance studio shut down she became more focused on volleyball. Cheyenne Strohkirch said that she would cheer, but she would be more focused on the stunt part of cheerleading. Ava Cooper said that she would play tennis or golf because she feels that it is not a super difficult sport and it would be less stressful.
These girls have made so many memories while playing volleyball, so they decided to share what they will always remember from playing volleyball.
“I will miss the friendships and all the great memories,” said Zoey Gerwitz. Then the girls started to share that they will always remember the conditioning to get ready for volleyball season. When the players start conditioning they have to run three miles to get prepared to run the eight-minute mile. For girls to make the volleyball team they have to run a mile in under eight minutes and if they do not make it in eight minutes they have to run the mile every day until they make it. “Some girls will be running the mile for weeks,” said Ava Cooper. The girls said that running this mile can be quite stressful, but when it comes to running the mile, it is a mental game more than a physical one.
These girls have made such a large impact on Farmington volleyball, however, their volleyball careers do not end at Farmington. Cheyenne Strohkirch plans to continue her volleyball career at Mineral Area College while majoring in business. Then after she graduates she plans to continue her education at Missouri Baptist University then get her esthetician license, so she can have her own business. Zoey Gerwitz also plans to play volleyball for Mineral Area College. Then after she graduates from Mineral Area College she plans to attend a university and pursue a career in dental hygiene. Ava Cooper intends to play volleyball at the Missouri University of Science and Technology and major in chemical engineering.
