As the new 2014-2015 school year begins, varsity volleyball team captain senior Claire Smith looks to the season ahead with high hopes.

“We’re actually expecting to go really far this year,” Smith said. “We’re hoping to get way past playoffs and go all the way to state.”

The Lady Cards have thus far dominated the competition with 3-0 victories against Nimitz, Clear Brook, Reagan, Westbury, Carnegie, and long-time rival Lamar. With the victories on the court, Smith wants to focus on keeping morale high between games.

“We tend to get down on ourselves a lot,” Smith said, “and that’s an issue that we’re working on. It’s a team sport so we want to play together as a team. We always say ‘Play as One’ or ‘Play Proud’”.

Smith often finds it hard to believe that she is varsity team captain.

“I didn’t think I would get here,” Smith admitted. “I saw Janelle Jordan (previous varsity captain) my freshman year and I just thought ‘wow. Janelle’s awesome.’ She was amazing. And I was always like ‘I want to be like Janelle’ and now I’m here… and it’s pretty cool.”

The team continues to work together and keep the winning reputation the varsity volleyball team has continually established year after year.

“We have all the skills and everything,” Smith said. “We just need to stay together.”

The varsity volleyball players take on Reagan High School for a second game Oct. 7th at Butler stadium at 4:30 p.m.