Instead of spending the final days of summer relaxing, Varsity Volleyball (VVB) player Gwen Watson ’28 spent three days on the NAC volleyball court playing and bonding with her team. Any Upper School (US) student interested in trying out for a varsity team participates in two practice sessions a day from Wednesday, Sept. 2, through Friday, Sept. 4.
This year, the Independent School League (ISL) peg date is on Sept. 26, meaning teams can only have 16 practice days before then, and these preparations can only begin on the Wednesday before Labor Day. With this short timeline, coaches must evaluate players, conduct fitness tests, determine positions and build team cohesion, all before the first regular-season games start as early as Sept. 14.
“Preseason is an opportunity to gear up really quickly, especially because it’s the start of a school year,” US Athletics Director and Varsity Field Hockey Coach Jaye Locke said. “It gives students a reset and allows people to reconnect in a meaningful way, and prepare mentally and physically to dial in when it’s time to go.”
According to Coach Locke, preseason is crucial for US varsity teams in particular because of the schedule with Bivouac.
“Biv does mean that the nines disappear for 10 days, a time where the team begins to mesh together, and we start to get into the season,” she said. “So, having the preseason is hugely beneficial on that front because it allows us to evaluate them, and start to integrate them into the team before they leave.”
Due to the short timeline, preseason practices run longer and are typically more intense, Coach Locke said.
“During preseason, there are always a lot more folks on the field or court,” she said. “Also, as opposed to being in school all day and then heading out to practice after school, you’re waking up early and only focusing on playing your sport.”
Some teams also have an optional preseason camp the week before tryouts, allowing them to maximize the limited days available for preparation. The Girls’ Varsity Soccer (GVS) team and the Boys’ Varsity Soccer team both attend Camp Lenox, a sleepaway soccer camp where players train and build team chemistry over several consecutive days.
“Camp Lenox is a really big team-bonding thing for the girls. They get to train and be together for a couple days, and bond that way … especially after the summer where they are playing mostly on different teams,” GVS Head Coach Hayley Katkowski said.
VVB player Gaella de Fontaine ’27 said VVB attended its first preseason camp, PHD Volleyball, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for three days the week prior to tryouts. She said it helped players get back into the routine.
“We also want to start our season early and be at the level we normally play at. More time together is important for that.”
According to VVB Head Coach Jeff Emenaker, individual preparation and accountability are key for a successful preseason.
“I always say to the team: I’m looking for you guys to come in ready, and with our program, a lot of the girls are doing that already,” Coach Emenaker said. “Part of our success, the last few years, has been players getting better in the off-season, and they come in ready to play.”
