Winter Park volleyball set up for success -- Observer Preps

She preaches the old game philosophy: “One game at a time.”

Concentrate on the task at hand, and worry about everything else as it comes.

Head coach Stephanie Gibson’s Wildcats squad has done just that, and it’s paying off early and often.

A year after going 16-13 (7-2), the Wildcats have come out of the gate firing and currently sit at 4-0 (2-0) and have won all 12 sets they have played so far.

“We have a phrase that we are using this year, ‘Grit,’ and in our practices, these kids have bought in to no ball hitting the floor ever — even if it’s just a warm up drill,” Gibson said. “They are getting after it 100%, and this team, probably more than teams I’ve had in the past, they will literally buy in and they will kill themselves.”

Part of that grit comes from preseason bonding activities that helped teach team work and trust among players. Another factor is the team’s experienced lineup, which features 10 upperclassmen out of the 13 players on the roster. The Wildcats are led by a core group of seniors who have taken the reigns after the talented Sasha Moore and Julie Frinfrock graduated last season

Captaining the Wildcats at the libero position is Maeve Billings and Megan Downing.

Alongside Billings and Downing stands a trio of standouts for the Wildcats, which includes outside hitter Katherine Webb, setter/outside hitter Lauren Musante and middle hitter Paige Massengale.

Webb is a newcomer to the team who already is making her presence known. In last week’s game against Harmony alone, she picked up 10 kills and 10 digs.

“We added Katherine Webb, who has been a terrific addition,” Gibson said. “She’s added speed, composure, offense and defense — she’s added to every component of the game.”

Musante plays on the outside as well, which provides the Wildcats with threats from line-to-line — Gibson refers to this offensive strength as being “pin dominant.” Massengale will act as the leader in the middle of the court.

Although the upperclassmen will be asked to take the Wildcats to the next level, Gibson also hopes that they — and their freshman and sophomore counterparts — continue to grow as players one game at a time.

“Our absolute goal is to get better every day — the wins and the losses, if we do our very best, it will play out the way it’s intended to,” Gibson said.