Written By: Victoria Williamson ~ Assistant Sports Editor
Cassi Blackmore positioned to pass the ball. Photographed by Caroline Gerke.
As the weather begins to warm, and the spring sport athletes step into the final stretch of their season, heads will soon turn to see how the fall sport athletes are preparing for their upcoming season.
Currently the libero for Lynchburg women’s volleyball, sophomore Cassi Blackmore talks about the difference between her in-season and off-season lifts.
“In-season lifts are to maintain the strength you have as well as endurance to be able to push through long matches. Whereas in off-season lifts, they challenge you mentally and are at a higher intensity,” said Blackmore.
Danielle Coon passing the ball. Photographed by Caroline Gerke.
Not only do the off-season athletes push themselves to higher extremes during lifts, their practices also give room for much improvement in the game. Danielle Coon, sophomore midfielder for Lynchburg women’s field hockey reflects on the benefits of spring practices:
“The off-season motivates me by giving me time to grow myself as a player for the next season to arrive where I aim to be better than I was in the previous year. It is a time for me to embrace the changes I need to make and strengthen my skill set and knowledge as a field hockey player to better myself for both me and my team,” she said.
Benjamin Velasquez passing the ball. Photographed by Hannah Hillyer.
With both lifts and practices holding heavy weight during the off-season, student athletes must find a way to stay motivated when the stress of seeking improvement in their game begins to set in.
Lynchburg men’s soccer sophomore defender, Benjamin Velasquez, is able to use long-term goals as a source of motivation when it comes to preparing during the off-season.
“Individually, I focus on self-improvement in terms of strength, skills, and technique. But my primary goal is focusing on the team to be more successful than the previous season and that goal is to be NCAA DIII champions,” said Velasquez.
As student-athletes finish up the spring season and head into the summer, they will continue to work hard until their time comes again in the fall to display their progress with #WONNATION.
For more information on Lynchburg Sports, visit LHSN.
