No. 1-ranked Green Level will host the Falcons tonight in a highly anticipated matchup between the two best volleyball teams in the 8A division. While nerves ran high and conversation brewed regarding the game, the GH Falcon caught up with senior captain Taylor Bruce (‘26) and defensive specialist Adara McCall (‘26) to discuss what they do to prepare for such a match.
Tactically, the girls aren’t changing much. McCall and Bruce both emphasized the importance of sticking to their plan and trusting the solid foundation they’ve built throughout the past 13 games. Bruce said, “We’ll just play very calmly and collected,” while McCall agreed and added, “Our goals for this game are to play confident, concise and organized. We know what it’s like to play against a competitive team.” With so much on the line, the girls have found trust in each other and Coach Karl Redelfs’ game plan.
In a rivalry as old as the school itself, Green Level and Green Hope bring a different level of competition to the court. Both Bruce and McCall agree that this game is special, and by far each of their favorite matchups in the regular season. While the teams are both equally as competitive, Bruce added that the atmosphere of the Green Level gym adds a whole new level of difficulty: “They have a very strong student section who are very loud at our games.”
Both players also emphasized the importance of having a strong team mindset leading up to such big games. As McCall said, “One thing we focus on is having a very productive week of practice prior to big games like this. As a team, we also like to discuss things we want to accomplish during the game and how we can play our best.” Blocking out the noise and focusing on the things that they can control is essential for ensuring success later on.
Togetherness is a key part of any team sport, and both players discussed the importance of their team dynamic. Bruce emphasized spending time with the team and continuing to build their relationship, and said, “We have a very tight-knit team and we definitely spend a lot of time together. We like to go get food before and after games, and ride the bus all together.” McCall additionally discussed ways that the team supports each other on the court saying, “It’s very important for games like this that we stay with ourselves and one another. We use encouraging words to help everyone feel connected and create a positive environment.” With these things in mind, the Falcon’s chemistry is evident on the court, as they’ve come together to tally 13 straight sweeps.
As per the day of the game, McCall mentioned how the team anticipates stopping the Gators’ top players by “applying pressure right back onto them. We study the players ahead of the game, and when it comes to game time, we target their weaknesses.” Bruce also discussed the importance of film and added that “We also really focus on incorporating the other team’s strengths in our practice drills.”
In addition to the film sessions and practices leading up to the game, both players discussed how they get their minds and bodies ready. Bruce and McCall both stressed the importance of music and warming up properly. In particular, McCall stated, “I like to listen to music or do something that keeps me occupied before the game so I can get into a competitive mindset. As it gets closer to the game, we all do a dynamic warm-up to get our blood flowing and minds ready.”
As excitement continues to build, one of the undefeated teams will walk out of the gym with a loss. Leading up to this point, the Falcons have done everything to prepare themselves for the challenge ahead. It is now up to them to bring this training and hard work to the court tonight.
