Jupiter High’s varsity girls volleyball team improves to 13-0 this season after defeating both Gainesville and Fletcher on Sept. 25.

Blane Betz, head coach, has been coaching the varsity team for 22 years, and has won over 400 games coaching the Warriors. 

“This team is very seasoned and is very court smart,” Betz said. “[The coaches] mostly tend to help them in game situations to see opportunities for weaknesses in our opponents. Also, we just keep them focused when things are getting tough and keep them grounded and calm.”

Betz and the other coaches have focused on connecting with the players, because sharing a unique bond ultimately helps win games.

“Coach Betz and all the other coaches help a lot with everything,” Ava Webster, freshman, said. “If there’s been one thing that I’ve been doing wrong, [Betz] will help me with that, and gives lots of guidance.”

Webster was in shock when she found out she made the varsity team as a freshman, but she is excited to be part of such a dominant squad.

“I mean, it was a really big transition from my other teams and my club teams because it’s just the play and the speed of the play,” Webster said. “Everything’s so different. But I think it’s a really big accomplishment for myself and I just love everyone on the team.”

The team is superior because they are close on and off the court and maintain trust during their games.

“I think we’ve done really well this year just because of our team chemistry,” Riley Hearn, senior, said. “And we have a common goal in mind, which helps a lot.”

The team participates in team dinners, pregame activities, going to the beach and more team bonding activities to strengthen their relationship.

“We all genuinely like each other and enjoy playing together, which just makes the sport enjoyable all together,” Hearn said. 

The girls’ ultimate goal for the season is to make it to the state finals, which they did not get the opportunity to attend last season due to COVID-19. 

“We have to stay injury free, work hard at practices and compete well against very good opponents,” Betz said. “We have to practice mental toughness in the face of adversity.”

In order to succeed this year, the girls know they need to remain consistent in their skills and portray a good attitude at all times. 

“We just need to stay focused and not get cocky,” Vivian Miller, senior, said. “We have been sweeping teams consistently, so when we get to increasingly harder competition like districts and regionals, it’s going to be important that we stay disciplined.”

By continuing to prosper as a team, the girls are on track to have yet another outstanding season.