The Jackson-Reed volleyball program has brought back a JV team for the first time since 2019. The restored JV team will serve primarily as a developmental platform for players interested in competing for the varsity squad in the future.
JR has not had a JV volleyball team since COVID due to lack of a suitable coach. To compensate, varsity head coach Arrington selected a couple rookie players each year to be designated practice players for varsity. Her objective is to “take them on so they [can] learn and continue to build.” Though essential to the underclassmens’ development, this strategy took its toll as precious practice time was misspent teaching basics rather than developing rostered players’ skills.w
Athletic Director Patrice Arrington recognized the importance of having a JV team: “[When building] a program, you always need a strong JV [to] develop younger kids and prepare them for varsity.” This sentiment proved to manifest for JR volleyball and, by the end of the 2023-24 school year, the missing piece was found.
Angelique Davis joined JR last year as a hospitality instructor. Prior to teaching, Davis played volleyball at Johnson & Wales University and then went semipro in the UK. Originally, Davis hoped to be an assistant coach for the varsity team. When approached with the option, she chose to trailblaze the JV program’s return. It’s a “good opportunity to build the program and get more girls into the sport,” said Davis.
Now, post tryouts, two volleyball teams occupy the gym. Junior captain Carys Gray viewed this change positively: “The noise and laughter in the gym has doubled, and the potential of the team has tripled.”
Arrington’s goal for JV is to build a pool of experienced players who can compete at the varsity level. During practice, Arrington occasionally ventures to the other side of the gym to work with the JV girls. “The hardest part is getting them to break bad habits.”
Along with help from Arrington, an ensemble of qualified coaches assist JV. Previously a varsity manager, former D3 player Adam Bartice is the assistant coach. Davis also has a parent volunteer coach at practices periodically.
Despite early struggles, the JV girls are improving already. “The girls’ morale is really high, they have a lot of energy,” Davis said. As the season continues, the “small wins are really important.” In practice, every JV girl works to develop solid fundamentals and form in passing, setting, and hitting to round out their skillset before hopefully elevating to the varsity crew.
Freshman JV player London Cullins played for Hardy Middle School but was intimidated by JR’s reputable varsity team. Cullins hoped to continue playing in high school but “wasn’t planning on joining varsity because [she] didn’t think [she] was good enough.” However, the JV team offered her the opportunity to learn and grow as a player and be a part of the JR volleyball community.
As JV keeps grinding, they look up to a strong squad: varsity. With a rich history of success, losing only two DCIAA titles in the past 25 years, the team is off to a promising start this season, being entirely undefeated in conference play. As with any sport, but resonating for the young girls on the JV volleyball team, consistency in showing up, putting yourself out there, and trying your best is key. “If you let one mistake ruin your whole game, you’re not going to get anywhere,” Arrington asserts. •