ISP Hosts Vienna Exchange, Showcasing Volleyball Talent and Team Growth

Written by Safia, Grade 10, as part of the MYP Journalism Elective, led by Mr. Josefino Rivera

Continuing our Student Journalism series, MYP Journalism Elective student Safia brings you an in-depth look at the ISP Volleyball teams' experience hosting the Vienna Exchange. Her coverage captures the excitement, challenges, and growth of the Varsity and JV teams during this annual event, showcasing their dedication and teamwork on the court.

The Upper School Volleyball teams from the International School of Prague (ISP) - including Varsity and JV teams for both boys and girls - competed against the American International School (AIS) Knights from Vienna on 13 - 14 September 2024 at the Vienna exchange hosted at ISP. This annual event provided a friendly yet competitive opportunity, allowing the teams to practise their skills while gaining experience for upcoming tournaments.

Before the games, Aviana, a Grade 12 student and captain of the Varsity Girls Volleyball, expressed her eagerness. ‘I’m really excited to see how we perform together,’ she said. ‘I am very confident in my team because we are pretty strong.’ Aviana, who has been on the Varsity team for two years and is in her first year as Varsity Captain, focused on her position as a setter and captain.

‘When it was time to focus, we really came together.’

Aviana, Captain - Varsity Girls Volleyball Team

As the Varsity Girls prepared to demonstrate their strength and cohesion on the court, the JV Boys were equally focused on their upcoming matches. Coach Dan Stevens, the coach of the JV Boys and Grade 5 teacher, also shared his anticipation. ‘These friendly matches are a fantastic way for the players to experience competition in a supportive environment,’ he noted. With practice sessions focused on teamwork and strategy, he hoped the boys would put their skills to the test and see where they all would fit in.

The matches against the Vienna school were filled with exciting moments. All the teams quickly demonstrated their skills. The end results came out to 5 wins, and the Varsity Girls secured 5 sets in a row with Aviana leading her team on. Their performance highlighted how well they collaborated.

Meanwhile, on the other court, the JV Boys played both on Friday and Saturday. Liam Morefield, a 10th-grade student and JV Boys Volleyball player, shared his thoughts after their matches. ‘We played better than before. It came down to the fifth set, and we were up 9-4 but tied it at 14-14,’ Liam recalled. ‘It was tough losing, but it was a good learning experience.’

Liam, who plays as an outside hitter, has been at ISP for six years and on the JV Volleyball team for two. He noted that these games were important for building confidence and improving his skills, even though he didn’t perform to his full potential.

Upper School PE Teacher JV Girls Coach Martina Plicka, now in her 4th year at ISP with two coaching years and 14 years of coaching experience across four countries, focused on team cohesion as her main goal for the JV Girls. ‘Without this experience, athletes can only improve so much,’ she explained. She was pleased with the team’s progress during the Vienna games, especially their understanding of the 6-2 rotation. Coach Plicka noted some challenges, such as the large team size and inconsistent refereeing, but overall, she saw the event as a success.

‘We saw massive improvement from the first set to the last, and the team came off the court understanding how we play.’

Ms. Martina Plicka, US PE Teacher

With the Vienna exchange games done, the ISP Volleyball teams are eager for more. Players and coaches emphasised how these games helped them grow individually and as a team. Coach Plicka expressed her appreciation for the entire event. ‘It was great to have the excitement and energy from our school community and other volleyball teams. We loved all the support.’