Rams find success when it counts

SARASOTA — The Riverview High volleyball team is driven by repetition. 

After a quick warmup around the gymnasium, the 13 members of Riverview’s varsity squad take their respective positions around the net and get to work. 

Volleyballs fly through the air in rapid succession as more than half of the team works on serving. Across the net, a row of talented defenders moves back and forth across the floor, attempting to fend off each serve that comes their way. 

From there, the Rams gather together for a few words of encouragement and guidance before putting their specific game plan into action. 

Competition remains fierce throughout the duration of practice, as players work together to form a united front. 

For the past three months, Riverview has approached nearly every practice in a similar manner. In doing so, the Rams have had their most productive season in nearly a decade. 

“We have a way better dynamic than we’ve had in the past,” junior libero Samantha Norden says. “We have a new coach, (Coach Craig Wolfe) and it’s a different atmosphere. Everyone comes to practice excited about it. It’s not something we dread. 

“When you’re able to do the same thing over and over again, you get a feel for it,” Norden says. “(Coach Wolfe) makes it in a way that we want to do it because we enjoy the things that we’re doing.” 

Riverview finished the regular season 19-1 with a 3-2 loss to district rival Manatee, which won the Class 8A state title a season ago, as its only blemish. 

“This year just clicked,” outside hitter Kenzie Walker says. “With every game, we’ve been able to learn something new.” 

As in years past, the Rams entered the season with high hopes — only to see their season come to an end in the district semifinals. Riverview wasn’t about to let history repeat itself after earning the No. 2 seed in the Class 8A-District 6 tournament. 

Riverview swept Lithia Newsome 25-17, 25-17, 25-15 in the district semifinals Oct. 20, to earn a rematch with Manatee. The two teams will play for the district title Oct. 22. 

Walker led the Rams with 13 kills and five digs. Courtney Searles added six blocks and three kills. Kayla Walker tallied 29 assists, 11 digs and four aces. Norden added 17 perfect passes, 14 digs and an ace. 

“We have way more of a desire to win,” Norden says. “Last year when the regular season was over, we just wanted to be done.” 

In addition, Riverview also earned a berth in the regional tournament — a feat that hadn’t been accomplished since 2006, when the Rams finished the regular season 26-1, won the district title and advanced to the regional finals. 

“The Riverview volleyball program doesn’t have a huge history of district and regional championships,” says Norden, who was in elementary school the last time Riverview advanced to the postseason. “We want to be the group who changes that.” 

Prior to the start of the season, the girls laid out their goals for the season, which included improving their team chemistry and taking a more disciplined approach to the season. 

As an assistant coach for the Rams last season, Wolfe knew his players had the potential to be successful this season. It was just a matter of getting them to come together as a team both on and off of the court. 

“I wanted to change the culture, but I wanted them to have a big part in deciding what the culture was going to be,” Wolfe says. “It needed to be something that I could live with as the coach of this team, but ultimately it’s about them. It’s not about me.” 

Before long, the wins began to pile up and Riverview was beating teams, such as Venice and Lakewood Ranch, whom it hadn’t beaten in a number of years.

The Rams swept all but four of their matches during the regular season, and believe they are in position to contend for the district championship. 

Riverview didn’t really know what to expect when it played Manatee earlier in the season. The Rams dropped the first two sets before battling their way back to set up a fifth set that could’ve gone either way. 

Now, the Rams are hoping that by focusing on their own game and what they can control, they’ll set themselves up for a potential state championship run. 

“Our success comes from all 13 players,” Wolfe says. “They continue to surpass my expectations. I believe they are capable of as much as they want if they continue to focus on the process and take care of their side."

“This is a really great group of girls, and I’m hesitant to put any limits on what they can do,” Wolfe says. 

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].