Team Believes the Importance of Pursuing Excellence Goes Beyond Winning
Since 2020, the Worthington Christian High School girls volleyball team has had one losing season (finishing 6-18 in 2024) and one .500 season (13-13 in 2023).
Senior outside hitter Anika Van Arendonk said winning matches is great, but it is not the Warriors’ only focus.
“Excellence on the court is not just about the outcome of the game but also about how we compete,” Van Arendonk said. “Pursuing excellence as a team looks like unity, building one another up, trusting one another, and holding each other accountable.”
Second-year coach Liz Prentis said her team’s goals extend beyond a winning record, postseason advancement, or improving its finish in the Central Buckeye League.
“However, to me, success is about more than our record,” said Prentis, whose team opens the season Aug. 18 against visiting Delaware Christian. “A successful season would mean seeing our players consistently pursue excellence, respond well to adversity, and grow in their relationships with one another and with Christ.
“We want them to become stronger volleyball players, but we also want them to leave with greater mental toughness, stronger communication skills, and a deeper understanding of what it means to lead and serve others well.”
The Warriors displayed that during their 13-12 finish last year. After winning its season opener, Worthington Christian lost five consecutive matches. The team refocused, winning six matches in a row and 10 of its final 12 matches before falling to London 25-14, 25-12, 25-17 in the first round of the Division IV Central District tournament.
The two regular-season losses during that stretch came against CBL co-champion Buckeye Valley and third-place finisher Bexley.
“We learned a lot from having a young team last year because it takes time to build the relationships and trust needed to play well at a higher level,” Van Arendonk said.
“The returnees now have confidence in the foundation we built last year and our team’s ability to stay consistent with whoever is on the court.”
“We went through some difficult stretches, but the players continued to show up, work hard, and learn from those experiences,” Prentis said. “Toward the end of the regular season, we started playing with more consistency. That showed us what we were capable of when we trusted each other and played together as a team.”
The Warriors hope to build on that momentum this season. Worthington Christian graduated Emily Steele, the CBL’s defensive player of the year for two consecutive seasons, and Mackenzie Barnes, an all-CBL honorable mention, from last year’s team.
Prentis says the strength of the team will be its returnees. Van Arendonk, an all-CBL second-team selection, and middle hitter Katelin Kaiser return for their senior season. Van Arendonk led the team in kills (173) and had 199 digs and 52 aces. Kaiser led the team in blocks.
“As a senior leader, I have been taking more initiative in organizing team bonding events and activities,” Van Arendonk said. “I’m enjoying the opportunity to be the one mentoring younger players and helping set the tone.”
Junior setter/defensive specialist Charlotte Konves and sophomore outside hitter/setter Amira Van Arendonk also return. Amira Van Arendonk had 104 kills, 176 digs, and 13 blocks during her first high school season.
Prentis is expecting big things from sophomore defensive specialist Aubrey Price, who was called into the varsity lineup toward the end of last season.
“One of our greatest strengths will be the amount of varsity experience we have returning,” Prentis said. “We will have players on the court who already understand the pace and expectations of varsity volleyball.
“Last year, we had a young team with several players stepping into varsity roles for the first time. It was exciting to watch them become more confident, learn how to play together, and begin finding their individual roles on the team.”
The Warriors hope that experience shows up in an improved finish in the Central Buckeye League. Worthington Christian tied Columbus Academy for fourth with a 9-7 record. Buckeye Valley, which has compiled a 31-1 record in league play over the last two years, tied Bishop Ready for the league title at 15-1. Bexley took third with a 12-4 mark.
In the postseason, the Barons won a Division IV district title and placed second in the state. To compete against programs like Buckeye Valley and Bishop Ready, the Warriors implemented a strength-and-conditioning program that dedicates the first 20 to 30 minutes of each practice to building the physical foundation players need to perform well and stay healthy throughout the season.
“The Central Buckeye League is always competitive,” Prentis said. “Buckeye Valley and Bishop Ready are both strong programs. At the same time, I believe we can be competitive within our conference.”
“The biggest difference maker will be our team culture,” Anika Van Arendonk added. “We have a group of girls who have fully bought in, who are ready to work hard together, and love each other.”