Statesboro High School’s volleyball team had a rough week last week. In fact, head coach Bob Massee called his team’s performance a wake-up call.
    Last week against South Effingham, the Lady Blue Devils lost in two matches 25-22 and a disappointing 25-7. To make matter worse, SHS lost to Richmond Hill after three matches 25-16, 16-25 and 25-15.
    The Lady Blue Devils’ record sits at 6-6, with all six losses coming to volleyball teams ranked in the top ten in the state—with the exception of Richmond Hill.
    Coach Massee said the game against South Effingham was something he has never seen from his team in five years coaching at SHS.
    “Every player that stepped on the court had a bad game. It was completely unexplainable,” Massee said after his team’s Labor Day practice at 10 a.m. “Even the parents said ‘coach what happened out there?’ We just completely fell apart. I’ve never seen it that bad in all five years I’ve been here.”
    Massee said his team suffered too many mental mistakes, resulting in 15 errors. Despite his team’s poor performance, Massee said he was pleased to see the squad bounce back and not let a negative attitude run rampant in the locker room.
    “We could have sulked, but we fought through that rust and negativity that can take over a volleyball team,” Massee said. “We’re learning a lot about ourselves and we’re learning to fight through the negatives.”
    The Lady Blue Devils have a tough task ahead as the team travels on the road to face Glynn Academy and Ware County, today.
    Team co-captain and senior Tyra Davis said focus will be the key to victory.
    “Our main problem was focus. At practice we try to do everything we can to focus more and get our head into what we’re doing,” Davis said.
    Davis also noted in the team’s previous games, a lack of energy was apparent. The Lady Blue Devils will need as much energy as possible to face a formidable and explosive Glynn Academy team.
    “We didn’t have any energy. I thought we needed to have more energy.  The game was just dead. We didn't have the energy or the drive to win that one,” Davis said after Monday’s practice.
Despite the rollercoaster season the Statesboro volleyball team rides, Davis said she’s happy to be a Blue Devil, and is enjoying her senior season.
    “I want to be one of the top teams this year. That has always been a goal for me. I’m just really proud of my team, even if we don’t play how we should, I’m proud of these girls,” Davis said.
   
Horace Holloman may be reached at (912) 489-9408.