GreatNews.Life Student Voices: The end of a season, not the end of a team: Merrillville sports edition

What’s recently happened?

The Merrillville High School (MHS) Girls Volleyball team’s season has come to an end, and although it ended with a loss, they continuously stuck together as a team through both wins and losses. Lucy McCollum, one of the team captains, believes her team can rise above the competition of the game.

“I would say our bond is extremely tight. We are all friends outside of volleyball and hang out together. Even though some miscommunications have occurred during games, we have always left that aspect on the court and stay tight knit. We all say we’re once a team but always a family.” McCollum said. “What made our team special was our camaraderie. We all loved and supported each other despite losses or mistakes on the court. Our connections created sisterly like bonds, and made valuable memories.”

This group of girls has fought extremely hard this season to stay close as a team, whether they are coming out on top or not. Their bond is built on trust, effort, and wanting to accomplish the same goal. They continue to support one another’s growth on and off the court.

Along with a great season, it can be a sentimental time for the senior girls on the volleyball team. With them knowing this is their last year, they have made sure they give their all one last time.

“I came in knowing there was a lot riding on it as this was my senior season. A lot of key players from last year had graduated. I had faced an injury towards the second half of the season that left it rocky, but being able to play and hang out with my teammates has definitely been a highlight of the season.” McCollum said.

For McCollum, being a senior and one of the captains on the team comes with great responsibility and gives her teammates the comfort of knowing that she’s dependable and trustworthy. She takes great pride in setting the tone for the team on and off the court, ensuring that everyone feels supported, motivated, and confident in themselves.

“As one of the captains, my role has been to be one of the leaders. I am not the most expressive player, but I do always play with hustle and drive which I brought to every game and point. Even though I’ve been playing on the varsity team since I was a freshman, I especially needed to play with a calm demeanor and a strong mentality as one of the pillars of the team.” McCollum said.

What’s coming up?

The MHS Varsity Football team is coming up on its last home game of the regular season before sectionals. Emotions are running high as they get ready to make one final push before the postseason begins.

“I’m pretty excited for my last football game. Though it’s bittersweet because this could be my last home game before playoffs, my time playing on this team has been filled with many memories.” Senior Rynell Lewis said. “My team and I are very excited and prepared to kick off the playoffs. We’ve been growing 1% greater with each day of practice, and we plan to play with purpose and execute on all levels of the field.”

Lewis is the starting wide receiver on the MHS football team. With this being his third year starting on varsity, he is making an impact with his senior year statistics, with an average of 14.8 receiving yards per game, a total of 593 total yards so far this season, and being ranked #11 in the division 5A for receiving yards.

This sport comes with a lot of dedication and resilience to execute with an excellent amount of fashion. These boys have exhibited that throughout this season with a 6-2 record.

“The team has worked incredibly hard this season, demonstrating perseverance and staying 100% committed to our goal.” Lewis said. “The greatest lesson I’ve learned from Merrillville football is the importance of teamwork, overcoming challenges, and fully understanding the game of football.”

Staff spotlight:

Adam Johnson, biology and anatomy and physiology teacher, is in his second year of teaching at MHS and his fourth year of teaching overall. He coaches Girl’s Cross Country, Girl’s JV Basketball, and is an assistant track coach.

Johnson takes great pride in having the opportunity to be a teacher and coach at MHS. He enjoys being able to instill confidence and greatness into the younger generations. He uses both professions to not only educate and inspire, but also to build meaningful relationships, foster resilience and discipline, and guide the students and athletes towards their full potential.

“My favorite thing about teaching and coaching here is seeing my students and athletes succeed. I heard a quote while I was in college that said ‘If you aren’t making someone else’s life better, then you are wasting your time,’ and there are a lot of different meanings to that. For me, if I can impact even one student in each class, or one athlete on each team by being a positive role model, then I am making a positive impact on a young person’s life.” Johnson said.

Before teaching and coaching, Johnson had a well rounded past in the Marine Corps that allowed him to become the best version of himself possible. Making the transition from being in the Marine Corps to becoming a teacher and coach is of great significance.

“In my past, I was blessed to go to great schools with a great supporting cast, playing three sports in high school and two collegiately. I took what I learned from those years and the role models I had in my life to the Marine Corps. As I ranked up, I applied those same principles I was taught to my younger Marines. They are the same principles I bring here to the school. I have been to over seven different countries, and I have learned many hard life lessons at a young age. I have seen mission success and mission failure, and I feel blessed to take what I have learned to a place where I can apply it to make a difference in someone’s life.” Johnson said.

Student spotlight:

Sophomore Ymani Shirrells is the vice president of her class and a part of the Varsity Cheerleading team and Gymnastics team at MHS.

“I’ve been doing gymnastics since I was 5 or 6 years old. I started with tumbling classes and then I joined competitive gymnastics years later. I started cheering when I was around 6 or 7 years old. I started with pop warner and then never stopped doing it since.” Shirrells said.

These artistic sports have played a big role in Shirrells’ life, being the reason she is able to accomplish so much in school and make a difference within her class.

“My sports continue to make me a better student by being motivated to maintain good grades in order to be eligible. It also gives me a challenge to be able to work harder than I need to.” Shirrells said. “I enjoy being a part of school related events.”

Due to participating in two high school sports that are in different seasons, it comes with intricate preparation that is necessary to excel in each sport. Being able to shift from one sport to another with the ability to jump into action when the new season begins is something extremely exceptional.

“I prepare to have a good season in each sport by clearing my mind of negative thoughts and only focusing on the positives and the fun parts of the season.” Shirrells said. “The transition from cheer to gymnastics each year is very tough for me because I have to get my body used to that much work back to back every year. I have to manage my time and sleep schedule better. I also try my hardest to keep up with school work because of the season schedules.”

While Shirrells is only in her second year of high school, it can be difficult to go from middle school sports to high school sports. However, that didn’t stop Shirrells from succeeding in everything she puts her mind to.

“Middle school sports for me were more lenient and not as challenging. As I got into high school sports, it really challenged me mentally and physically to be able to maintain multiple activities that happen at the same time, on top of keeping up with school work.” Shirrells said.

Balancing two sports and school isn’t easy, but Shirrells’ dedication proves that hard work and determination pays off.