Coach Atkinson stands with her girls during the national anthem at their volley for the cure game.
During the school day Jamie Atkinson works as a special education teacher, but once the school day reaches its end she becomes someone quite different: the volleyball team’s new head coach. The girl’s volleyball team is back this season with new leadership and a whole new attitude, and Atkinson loves it.
Jamie Atkinson is a special education teacher and also the new head volleyball coach at ACHS.
“[Being the new head coach] feels awesome, it is the dream job i’ve wanted for a long time, and it’s an opportunity to really connect with so many more players at a higher level,” said Atkinson.
Prior to this season, Atkinson served as the sophomore volleyball coach for seven years.
“[Being the head coach] is a little different, the responsibility is more, the difference is just that my role is so much more developed,” said Atkinson.
Atkinson saw that her girls just weren’t having enough fun when she coached the sophomore team, and now, as head coach, she is making fun a top priority.
“I think volleyball should be fun and I think that some of the girls had lost the fun in volleyball. I’m hoping that I can help them find that again,” said Atkinson.
To help the team get-to-know each other better, the team participated in a lock-in in the north gym. The lock-in consisted of an over-night stay at ACHS and team-building activities, all with the purpose of building team relationships and being plain old fun.
Atkinson feels that the key to their success is working together, and having fun in the process. With this in mind, Atkinson has made fun and relationship-building a core part of the program all in the hope of getting the girls to state, something Atkinson believes is quite obtainable.
“I foresee us going all the way to state… if we have the right mental attitude combined with our natural abilities, on a good day no-one can stop us,” said Atkinson.
The team has also added a new sophomore coach, Spanish teacher Molly May.
“I am so happy to be part of the Sequoit program and work with such a great group of girls and coaches. The program has a great tradition of pride and success and I am so grateful to be able to contribute this year,” said May.
At this point in the season the girls are 11 and four and undefeated in conference with a record of five wins and zero losses.
The girls’ future is looking bright with exciting new additions that just might bring them all the way to their goal of competing at the state level.
Atkinson is looking forward to seeing more Cardinal Crazies in the stands cheering her girls on to state. She urges any and everyone to come see the girls play.
“Volleyball is just a piece in life and it teaches you so much about working with others…and [by] being more than just a student, [being] a student-athlete, you’ve done something not everyone can do,” said Atkinson.
