It’s How They Play The Game For East Valley Volleyball Team, Winning Is Just A By-Product Of Having A Good Time

Singer Cyndi Lauper didn’t have East Valley High’s volleyball team in mind when she wrote the song “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” Maybe she should have.

That has been the creed of the Knights under coach Jim Dorr for the past two years and it’s worked.

Dorr never mentions winning, yet last year his team finished second in the Frontier League and qualified for state. Approaching the mid-point of this season, the Knights are unbeaten.

“His main thing,” said outside hitter Lescia Myers, “is to have fun.”

The girls have taken their coach at his word and by his example.

Dorr brings the team to his home for a pre-season breakfast. The girls themselves have gathered at various team members’ homes for spaghetti and pizza feeds, have had sleep overs, played miniature golf and driven go-karts and have together been to Laser Quest.

The latest outing was for ice cream and square dancing Thursday night at the Western Dance Center in Sullivan Park.

“We get to know each other so much better on a personal level,” said Myers.

Added Jennifer Tilton, a setter and back row player, “When someone has a bad game you can tell who needs a pat on the back.”

Both Tilton and Myers are seniors and second-year players for the team. Last year, in fact, Myers would be Tilton’s front-row substitute.

Tilton enters games in the back row. She began playing volleyball in seventh grade and has two years of U.S. Volleyball club experience, missing last year because of an ankle injury.

“Because I’m 5-foot-6 I serve and set through the back row and come out,” she said. “I just need to grow, but figure it’s not going to happen.”

Myers plays all-around as a right side hitter and defender. She began volleyball as a fifth grader in the powerful St. Maries, Idaho, system before moving here her sophomore year.

“I’ve learned more since I’ve been here because I’m older and it meant more to me,” she said.

Last year’s state performance by the Knights surprised and pleased both players and fans. It was easier, said Tilton, being the underdog.

“Our own school didn’t believe we could do it,” she said. “It was awesome.”

This year EV has accepted the favorite’s role and the pressure that goes with it.

“Last year we didn’t know we were good or think we were good,” said Myers. “This year we have to be good.”

Instead of merely being satisfied to be at state, this year, said Tilton, the team has higher expectations.

“I get the feeling from the team that everyone wants it badly and expects to play better,” she said.

East Valley’s squad is not as big as last year, but is quicker and experienced. Just like last year, no one is talking about winning but about having fun.

“If we don’t have fun we don’t play well. If we have fun we do well,” said Tilton. “I’m having a blast.”

Translated that means wins, lots of them.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo