Lady Dogs Look Back

Pages turned, lessons learned

Rachel Niemeyer, Co Editor-in-Chief|April 6, 2023

The+girls+varsity+team+with+Coach+Coop+on+Senior+Night.+Photo+by+Xsavier+Ortiz

The girls’ varsity team with Coach Coop on Senior Night. Photo by Xsavier Ortiz

The 2022-23 season was a period of growth for the Lady Dogs both JV and Varsity. Under the direction of Coach Marissa Coop, the Dogs grew on and off the court. They navigated difficult opponents and gained great understanding of the importance of communication, persistence, and learning each others’ strengths.

“I think that our team not only grew with our skills, but we grew as a family,” senior Kristen Kennel said. “This year had many ups and downs for the team, but we all were able to make the best of it and become closer as a team.”

Although the taste of victory is sweet, knowing that each and every member of the team played to their fullest ability is just as fulfilling.

“Even though we didn’t win most games, we never gave up and always finished hard,” senior Summer Hayden-Epps said.

Several underclassmen were able to grow their confidence levels this season and became more comfortable with their positions on the team.

“I believe the team grew not only skill-wise and team-wise but also confidence-wise as well,” sophomore Phenix Rivers said. “I think we had a rough year last year and we all came together to realize what we needed to work on and we did. We took more shots and that grew our confidence level, which ended up with us growing more this season.”

A Chat With Coach Coop

How do you feel the team has grown this season? 

I feel the team has grown in a variety of ways, but I will mention a few that I am most proud of them for:

  1. They became a team and grew close enough to even enjoy team bonding time outside of scheduled practices and games
  2. The girls played hard and became more competitive as the season went on
  3. As the season went on, the girls gained confidence and believed more in their ability to win games

 

Do you believe you have grown as a coach and a mentor? 

I hope so.  As a coach and mentor there is always room to grow and improve, but it is necessary to reflect and hold myself accountable.  There are definitely areas I can improve and hope to be better for the team next season and in the future.

 

Do you think underclassmen will carry lessons from this season with them to the next season? 

I do believe that we learned a lot of lessons this season and am confident that we can build on what we learned this season.  I believe all of the girls that will return have learned and improved.  I also think they want to improve even more by building on the growth they experienced this season.