It's all for the team

Posted 10/15/09

The five have been at the center of a great run for the Lady Panthers. They have clinched their third straight conference championship and are aiming for their third straight regional championship. After a heart-breaking two-point loss in the state …

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It's all for the team

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{gallery}10_15_09/volleyball101509{/gallery}Powell Lady Panthers (from left) Layla Bradley, Hannah Pollart, Savannah Donarski, Kami Cooley and Kayla Ando show their “game faces” before starting practice Tuesday. The five will be honored prior to their match with Worland Thursday night (tonight) and will play their final home match on Saturday against the Jackson Broncs. Tribune photo by Don AmendFive seniors to be honored tonightFive Lady Panthers will display their volleyball skills on their home court for the last time this week, looking for another conference sweep and tuning up for the regional and state competition to come.Kayla Ando, Kami Cooley, Savannah Donarski, Hannah Pollart and Layla Bradley will be honored prior to Thursday's (tonight) match with Worland.

The five have been at the center of a great run for the Lady Panthers. They have clinched their third straight conference championship and are aiming for their third straight regional championship. After a heart-breaking two-point loss in the state semi-finals in 2007, they came back to win the championship last year, and are working hard to repeat that achievement as well.

But when asked what the best part of their volleyball experience has been, they didn't mention those accomplishments, but the relationship they have enjoyed.

“Friendship,” said Donarski, a three-year starter.

“It's the camaraderie of working together,” said Cooley, a three-year varsity member and two-year starter.

“The team,” said Ando, a two-year starter.

Their answers reflect what their coach, Cindi Smith has said on several occasions is the secret to the Lady Panthers' success: their dedication to each other and working for the team.

That chemistry has developed over years of playing together on club and school teams, the girls said, and it is the game itself that has brought them together as a cohesive team, which Pollart compares to a family.

“We're all just weird people who have figured out how to play together and win,” said Pollart, a four-year starter for the Lady Panthers.

More seriously, Pollart added that being part of a team is like being part of family and “takes everything it takes to be a family.”

Team chemistry isn't the only asset the girls have going for them. They also have a lot of talent. Pollart is a two-time all-stater and Donarski has made the all-state team once. Cooley has steadily improved as an effective attacker and Ando has contributed a steady flow of assists. Bradley, a first-year varsity member, sees spot action as an accurate server and on defense.

That talent has kept them undefeated in regulation matches for nearly two seasons, and which makes them the team to beat in both the regional and state tournaments.

Still, it's their relationship as teammates they keep coming back to when asked about their success, and Bradley said it's a life lesson she has learned from the sport.

“Always be there for your team,” Bradley said.

As the end of their careers approaches, Donarski said she wishes they could keep on playing, a thought echoed by her teammates. But when it's over, she knows what she'll miss the most.

“I'll miss this team,” Donarski said.

Cooley said she, too, will regret losing the relationship she and her teammates have on the court.

“It will never be the same combination again, even if we all get back together,” Cooley said.

Right now, though, the five seniors aren't concerned about the end of the season. They are focused on winning this week's games to complete an undefeated conference season and build momentum as they try to cap their career with another state championship.

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