Emma Gonzalez is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Tempe Prep Academy for AZPreps365.com

TEMPE- High school sports are typically defined by wins and losses. But for Tempe Preparatory Academy, the girls volleyball team's success is measured by a different set of metrics–team chemistry and growth.

Facing a demanding stretch of road games that led to tough losses, they lost 10 of their last 11 games. Despite the losses, the Knights have changed the things they do on the court, playing with more communication and not focusing on the losses but rather just playing one game at a time, said Tempe Prep coach Tinielle Waggoner

Tempe Prep's coaching staff said ot has seen a noticeable leap in the team's execution, and that stems directly from expectations that are set during weekday practices. One of the main focuses has been how players speak to one another and how the team responds to adversity in real time.

“At practice, we’ve been working on our communication and our serve receive and just reminding them that you play how you practice,”  Waggoner said. “The things that you do in practice that make us successful, I want to see out there. They came in with a really positive attitude, and I think it’s been challenging having a losing streak. However, it’s not about the past; it’s about what’s next.”
 

 Despite the scores, the Knights have shown improvements each game.

“There’s been a huge improvement as far as the team chemistry and the way that they are speaking to each other—understanding that it matters what you say and how you say it,” Waggoner said. “From their first practice of the season until now, they have come so far with their volleyball IQ. There’s growth there, so I’m proud of that.”

When tight in-game rallies turn into points, the team uses those moments as proof of what they can accomplish.

“We have those sparks, and we are like, it’s something that we can do because it’s something that we just did,” junior Bren Sra said. “ I think we kind of just push ourselves to do that a little bit more.” 

To keep that energy alive in matches, the team has created a system of pre-game goals to focus on during the game.

“We have started to make goals for ourselves before the games – like we want to get this many aces, we want to get this many digs. As we start to accomplish the goals in each game, it builds up our confidence more  because we know we can win,” said Natasha Gladden

Beyond stats, the player strives to have a positive mindset and perspective on what's left of the season, Waggoner said 

“We’re just here to have fun and play our best,” Sarca said. “I think it’s really about playing volleyball and being together, and it’s more about that than it is about winning. Because even if we go home and we lose, and we know that we did our best, that’s really all that matters—because it feels like, at the end of the day, we won.”