Entering a post season for any sport always comes with traditions and superstitions. Whether it’s team dinners, wearing a certain uniform, or even re-wearing the same unwashed socks every game day. With the Galena Girls Volleyball team securing their 10th consecutive regional win, they are yet again entering another postseason era.
Varsity volleyball co-captain Gracie Furlong is the most notorious on the team for her game day superstitions. “Every game-day I always eat the same breakfast,” Furlong ‘25 shares, “Steak and eggs.” Furlong also has her superstitions when it comes to her game day apparel. Once the post season commences, Furlong refuses to wash her knee pads or arm sleeves as it’s “bad juju” and will throw off her game. Furlong also always makes sure that every player sits in the same seats when traveling to and from games, as something as insignificant as a bus seat could change the fate of the game.
As for the varsity volleyball team’s traditions as a whole, the girls always find themselves indulging in a team brunch or dinner. During the weeks of postseason, players ensure that they are all eating well so they can play to their best potential. This season, the team and coaches visited Charlie’s Place the morning of their first round of sectionals. Later that day at a walk through practice, Mike Hyland, Jim Cox, and Jim Rigdon came to continue a decade-long tradition. Every player on the team received a rose with a note congratulating them on their successes so far and to wish them the best of luck for the rest of the season. “We love and are happy to carry out this tradition every year for the players and are always glad to see that the roses put a smile on their faces!” Hyland comments.
And of course, a tradition that will always stand proud and true, is the support from the Pirate Nation. Without fail, members of the community always come together to show their support during the varsity volleyball teams postseason. Endless pep rallies, overwhelming attendance by Pirate fans at the games, and the unwavering support the team receives is always a joy to see. We know our pirate nation is right behind the team supporting them and in hopes with all these traditions and superstitions, the team can bring home another state trophy.
