By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Following a string of several poor seasons, Peabody head volleyball coach Rachel Winter is making this year’s team play a mental game.

“Volleyball is a very brain-driven sport,” Winter said.

This year, getting the 20 team members’ brains into the game is especially important.

Team members need to focus on the season at hand and not the disappointments of recent years, Winter said.

Last year’s season was 2 and 28.

“They set a goal together and have worked to build a foundation,” Winter said. “Our biggest strength is that commitment. We’ve made the choice to look at the future.”

The team of five seniors, six juniors, three sophomores, and six freshmen is focusing on strategy and on thinking ahead to where the ball is going to come over the net, she said.

“We’re measuring ourselves in improvements and always looking for growth,” Winter said.

Several team members played club volleyball over the summer, which helps them and the team, Winter said.

The season’s first practice was Aug. 13 and the first tournament was Saturday.

Winter said she knew some of the eight teams in the first tournament are heavy on juniors and seniors with a lot of experience.

Peabody’s team has a freshman and a sophomore in the starting line-up.

“We’re young,” Winter said.

A new rule this year that sports teams can only practice once a day hasn’t been a hardship because the team practices inside an air-conditioned gymnasium, Winter said.

The special education teacher likes the fact that participating in volleyball boosts learning students don’t get when reading textbooks.

“Extracurricular activities are proven to improve their sense of self-worth,” Winter said. “Graduation rates are higher. They learn how to work together as a team. They learn goal-setting, tracking, discipline, and dedication.”