By Saioa San Francisco
After finishing in 10th place at nationals last fall, the T-Birds Volleyball team fell short of reaching regionals during the 2024 fall season, however, players benefited from the team’s growth and defining moments this fall.
Emiy Ware, a sophomore Casper College volleyball player from Grantsville , Utah, explains that this season has been one of gratitude and self-discovery. “I am feeling grateful.” she shared. “Grateful that I got to play a sport I absolutely love with some of my favorite people in the world. Although the season hasn’t been the best on the winning side of things, I’ve learned so much about myself and how I handle adversity. I’ve grown as an athlete and a person.” Kyrsten Blake, a Casper College volleyball player from Vernal, Utah , echoed Ware’s Feelings, noting that moments during the season’s highs and lows ultimately brought the team closer. “Playing with these girls one last time and knowing the bonds we’ve made will always be there, that’s what I’m grateful for.” Blake said. “We’ve gone through the lowest of lows and the highest of highs, but we did it all together, and I’m so grateful for them.”
Ware reflected on the most memorable events and noted that some of the best times came from bus rides and hotel stays with her teammates. “Long hours on the bus make for unforgettable moments,” she remarked, smiling as she detailed how the players’ shared court experiences formed a special relationship. Blake concurred, recalling the camaraderie they shared during practice exercises, late-night hotel discussions, and long road trips. These experiences reminded Blake of the value of connection and trust on and off the court.
Trust and chemistry took time to develop, especially coming off the high of last season’s success and 10th-place finish at nationals. Ware admitted that the team’s start was rocky, but she was proud of how they came together. “We had a little bit of a slow start, but we grew together as teammates and as sisters,” she said. Blake echoed the struggles of adjusting to a new season with fresh dynamics, noting, “We went from a high winning record last year to struggling to trust each other on the court. But we’ve grown so much and learned how important it is to support one another.”
Throughout the season, several games stood out as turning points for the team. For Ware, a memorable match against Northwest College marked a significant “team win.” “There was just a feeling about it that I can’t explain; it was such a great turning point for us,” she shared, emphasizing how the unity they achieved in that game energized the team. For Blake, one defining moment came during the team’s “Flight for a Cure” match against Laramie County Community College (LCCC). She described how the game started with LCCC taking the first two sets, but then something shifted. “We played better than I think we ever have and finally played like a team. Seeing us come together and hold our heads high after that game was amazing.” The Thunderbirds went on to win the match in five sets.
Despite the ups and downs, both players look back with no regrets. Ware acknowledged, “I hate losing, but I’ve learned so much about myself as a player and a person that I wouldn’t change a thing. I believe everything happens for a reason.” Blake agreed, emphasizing that while winning would have been great, the losses taught them lessons they would have missed otherwise. She sees the season as one of growth, both in skill and character.
Looking to the future, Ware and Blake hope that next year’s team will prioritize unity, hard work, and selflessness. Ware encouraged future players to stay focused on shared goals. “It takes everyone having the same goal and work ethic to reach your team’s peak,” she said, stressing that dedication and trust are essential for success. Blake agreed, urging the importance of putting the team above individual ambitions. “A volleyball team will get nowhere if people are more focused on themselves than the team,” she noted, “emphasizing the impact of teamwork and unity on performance.”
As they conclude this season, Ware and Blake leave a legacy of perseverance and the hard-fought lesson that sports are about much more than just winning. While the 2024 season was difficult, it is apparent that they have built the groundwork for future Casper College teams to build upon a foundation of mutual respect, hard work, and unbreakable connections of team spirit.