The pressure of playing on a varsity team can be extremely high for many athletes. Between intense games, long bus rides and countless practices, high school sports require athletes to be completely focused. For freshmen playing on varsity, they have the increased pressures of being younger and less experienced than the older athletes.

LHS freshman Michaela Beck has played volleyball for both JV and Varsity this year and has had to adjust to the intensity of starting varsity next to players who are two or three years older than her.

“There’s pressure of playing with people who are older than you and not wanting to make mistakes,” said Beck. “At the beginning it was pretty nerve-racking, but I got used to it and I think it’s a lot more fun than normal games. You’re playing with people who are better than you, so you have to push yourself.”

Along with the more intense and competitive atmosphere, Beck has enjoyed getting to know the upperclassmen. Throughout the year, she has depended on the older players to help her push through practices and tough games.

“At practice, whenever we’re running or conditioning, [upperclassmen] are always pushing you to get better. They make everything more fun, and it’s really fun to watch them when it’s not my turn to play.”

Although the athletes are younger, coaches still depend on them to perform their best, because they know they are just as capable as the older players.

The first traits that coaches will look for when they want to pull up younger players, is their skill level and how hard they are willing to work at each practice.

“I pull people up when I think they have an advanced skill or potential, or if they work really hard. Sometimes it’s a combination of all three,” said LHS Volleyball Head Coach Emily Palmer.

On the volleyball team there are only two seniors and much of the team is made up of younger girls. Although there are many different ages and grade levels out on the court, Palmer does not let it affect how she coaches her players.

“All of them are treated pretty much the same,” said Palmer. “They’re all expected to put in the same amount of work.”

Because there is often a large number of freshmen that try out for a sport, coaches have to narrow down the athletes to see who belongs on varsity, and see who will work best with the team. When looking for girls to pull up, LHS Gymnastics Head Coach Les Fredrick looks for certain qualities in athletes besides their athletic abilities.

“I like them to be good students. I like them to have good values and want to be part of a team and help the team out,” said Fredrick.  “If you have the talent to be on varsity, I’m going to pull you up if you’re a seventh grader, eighth grader or freshman. So if you want to be part of a team and help the team out, you’re going to get pulled up.”

Although playing on varsity can be stressful at times, Beck knows it will all be worth it in the end.

“It makes me want to push myself and try harder,” said Beck.