As you enter the gym, you are surrounded by the sounds of athletes preparing for a productive practice. Players set up nets, run into locker rooms to grab last-minute gear, and happily chat while awaiting for the arrival of their new coach.
This year, Lindsay Grant returns to lead the Mustang squad, but this time takes on the role of the new varsity volleyball coach. As the 9-year assistant coach at MN, and head volleyball coach at Bennington for 3 years, Grant’s return has been off to a good start.
“It’s been fantastic. I got kind of back into the swing of things springtime, and so we were able to run some spring training. [By] summer it was full go with open gyms, camps, team camps, and then tryouts,” Grant said.
With practices every day after school, the volleyball team is working hard to meet their goals for the season.
“We set some pretty lofty goals. Being able to qualify for state is one of the varsity goals, but we really took a step back and we looked at our core values… family, hard work and integrity. As a full program, it’s really working to implement those core values,” Grant said.
To be able to reach these goals, the volleyball team is dedicated and motivated at each practice.
“We plan to reach these by believing in ourselves and each other, working hard in practice, and being intentional about everything we do,” Grant said.
With spring and summer training already in swing before the 2024-25 school year started, the players, and Grant, got to know each other before the official start of the season.
“That’s probably one of my favorite things, is those relationships that you build, and getting to know them, them getting to know me, and not just me as a coach, but me who I am as a person as well,” Grant said.
Going into her sixteenth year of coaching, Grant has helped many players pursue their passion for volleyball and in their daily lives.
“I love the impact that you can make on student athletes, both here in the gym, but then how it impacts them in the classroom, how it plays a factor as they transition into college and being adults, and the skills that you learn while being an athlete,” Grant said.
For the players, her influence has been noticed and is appreciated as the girls continue to follow their volleyball journey.
“She’s very motivational and she helps you with whatever you need, she’s like an open book,” junior Sydney Rogokos said.
Having those connections as a team is very important. With team exercises always being valued part of the program, continuing to bond and build those relationships are meaningful to the coaches and players.
“Recently, we did a team exercise where we each wrote a letter about who we’re dedicating our season to and who’s really important to us. That was a really positive moment for our team and our coach because she [also] shared who she was dedicating the season to for all of us to bond and have a connection as a team,” senior Julia Perju said.
Along with team bonding exercises, the volleyball program continues to build on its strong team traditions.
”I love the tradition of Millard North. I love how it’s a sense of community with the program, where from varsity all the way through the freshman team, they all know each other,” Grant said.
Although this is just the beginning of the season, Grant has many ideas in mind to improve the program.
“I want to continue to improve the culture, continue to elevate the level of play, and continue to put focus on ball control. I want volleyball athletes to want to come to MN and be proud to say they are a Mustang,” Grant said.
As the season continues with Grant in the lead, the team is in good hands as they push on to show what it is to be a Millard North Mustang.