TCA looking for turnaround

The 2022 volleyball season was a struggle for the Willow Park Trinity Christian squad, with only one district victory and a last-place finish in 1-4A competition.

But 2023 could be a much different story as first-year coach Katherine Mullen appears to have the Eagles on the right track. Mullen said that she has been impressed by her team early on, especially when it comes to work ethic.

"I think it's really positive," Mullen said. "The girls are working really hard at the task in front of them. I mean they are working very hard."

For Mullen, the expectations for this season are pretty clear.

"We want to win more games and have a better record," Mullen said. "We want to build a foundation that we can grow off of."

With a solid core of players returning, including senior libero Caroline Thompson (all-district selection), senior defensive specialist Giuliana Marcantonio, sophomore setter Sadie Gough and sophomore outside hitter Emily Ickert, Mullen said she believes she has the team to be competitive.

"I love them," Mullen said. "I think they're great. I think we have it; I just think we have to fine tune some stuff."

To compete for a playoff spot this season, Mullen said she needs a couple of things from her players.

"We really need for everybody to buy into their role of what they bring to the team," Mullen said. "And then we just need to build up that confidence and that greatness."

The Eagles competed in the FWC PIT Tournament this past weekend, losing the first two games of the competition, but rallying to win their next three. TCA ended up taking first place in the Silver Division and bringing home a trophy.

Mullen said she is optimistic about what her team can accomplish this season, and said her goals for her players are two-fold.

"I want them to learn to fight and be competitive," Mullen said. "But also to have good character and represent the team well."