BRUNSWICK

The inaugural season of girls high school volleyball at Brunswick was a learning experience for the Dragons.

The co-op squad of Brunswick and Mt. Ararat high school players found the going tough in a winless campaign. However, the squad learned several valuable lessons, something head coach Kaili Phillips looks for her team to carry into the 2017 season, which kicks off for the Dragons on Tuesday at Yarmouth.

“Many of the girls had never played volleyball before, so they had much to learn about rotations, positioning, skills and, on top of that, strategy,” said Phillips. “This year we are starting out so much further ahead than we were last year and are able to build off of the prior knowledge they had gained after a season of experience.”

Three Eagles have joined the fray.

“The dynamic of the team is very different from last year, though I do not attribute that to the schools the kids attend but more that they are working together on reaching their common goal,” Phillips said. “The team is very cohesive and supportive, with strong leadership from both BHS and MTA athletes.”

Phillips will look to lean on the experience of returning players Morgan Johnson (senior, Mt. Ararat), Mackenzie Burrows (senior, BHS), Ashley Alexander (senior, BHS), Emma Dorr (junior, BHS), Sophie Katz (junior, BHS) and Kathleen Trapp (sophomore, BHS).

Growing sport

Girls volleyball in Maine continues to grow, with several teams joining the league this season. The Maine Principals’ Association now has three classes instead of two, thanks largely to the amount of teams that have begun varsity play over the past 2-3 years.

“The state championship venue last year was packed to capacity and was actually turning spectators away. Some schools are getting 60- 70 girls coming out for tryouts,” said Phillips.

A change for the Dragons this year will be the home venue. Last season saw the team playing at Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School. However, the high school gymnasium has been lined for volleyball, allowing the Dragons to practice and play at BHS.

For Phillips and her squad, it is about setting goals this season and sticking to them.

“The varsity team has set goals for themselves around teamwork, respect and always pushing themselves and each other to be the best they can be,” said the coach, whose squad will play at home on Sept. 7 against Cape Elizabeth. “They came in with more grit than we have seen in the past. They no longer just want to play — they want to compete for some victories. We have set a goal to win six matches this year and I think that’s a very realistic goal.

“For us, it will be playing as a team. You cannot win in volleyball without this team mindset. We also have to remember to shake off mistakes and play to our level at all times, and not play to the level at which our opponent is competing.”