Hundreds of Pines Charter students rush out of their classrooms at the sound of the 2:00 pm bell. Their destination? Straight home. However, for the Lady Jags volleyball team, their mindset switches from student to player as they prepare for the 2025-26 season in Charter’s very own gym.
Last year, the Lady Jags varsity volleyball team ended its season with a record of 13-9. This record represented the level that they played at, which carried them through districts. However, this journey fell short after losing in the finals to Lourdes Academy. As others would’ve let this loss crush them, it brought the rising seniors back for a revenge season.
Senior, Sophia Peterseil comments, “Last year, losing in district finals was definitely very hard, but… it has motivated me even more to push harder this year.”
The Lady Jags varsity team roster is filled with seniors ready to take on the challenges that will be thrown at them. With around 8 seniors hungry for the win, it is with honor that they train every day, until it reflects in the home opener for this season, against Pompano Beach on Monday, August 18th.
As for Senior Abigail Reynolds, who has been a Lady Jag since freshman year, her goals remain the same as every year, which is to inspire the JV girls who look up to her. “I am by no means perfect, or the best player. I actually make a lot of mistakes, but I think it’s how you carry yourself after. It’s how you recover from your mistakes, for your team.”
For all of the seniors, they do not play to their best ability just for the audience in the stands, but also for the underclassmen sitting on the bench who sit in awe of every hit. However, with this mindset comes additional pressure. The pressure is on to overcome the challenges following last season.
As one of their main goals is to make their mark in regionals, the Lady Jags take accountability for their faults from last year and are ready to stomp on those challenges. For freshman Adianis Meijia, the solution is clear.
“One of the biggest challenges, I might say, that we would face this season is being an undersized team. Although many of the other teams we are going to play against have lots of height, which can be a bit of a struggle, we have grit, chemistry, and smarts.”
Even though her high school journey has only just begun, her varsity volleyball career has been in the works since 7th grade. With her talent and determination to aid the seniors in leading the team, the Lady Jags are ready for this upcoming fall season.
As for Coach Andres Ibon, the goal is simple and clear. “Qualify big eight…win districts…win regionals.” Every practice that passes with the Lady Jags running laps around the court, peppering the ball, and their shoes squeaking against the court during scrimmage, the work is being put in. Now, the ball is in their court to apply this pressure and secure their legacy as Lady Jags this season.
