From recreation center sports to the professional level, athletes, one way or the other, have their own way to get ready for a game more than just warming up. We talked to Hays Volleyball players about their physical and mental game day rituals…

What are your physical game day rituals?

Saige Wendel, 10: “One main physical game day ritual I do is the handshake I’ve made with my friends. I do them every set after the whistle.”

Marli Hartnett, 11: “I have to wear both my knee braces, not just because I’m hurt but because I believe that I won’t play good without it, and I have to have some type of sugar drink like Gatorade or Powerade.”

Sabine Williams, 11: “I tie my shoes really tight in a double knot and I try to always chew gum before so it calms me down.”

What are your mental game day rituals?

Saige Wendel, 10: “Some mental game day rituals I do are trying to stay in a happy and bubbly mindset by listening to some upbeat and hype music.”

Marli Hartnett, 11: “Mentally, I have to have a good morning to have a good day, and talking to my teammates to insure that we as a team have a good day and game. Also, I have to listen to hype music because being at school all day and then going to a game after is very hard.”

Sabine Williams, 11: “When I have time I sit down and focus on volleyball and how I imagine it going in a positive way.”

Although others only see the outcome, Hays Volleyball athletes use many different methods to insure a win each game day.