Sylvan-Lucas volleyball player Morgan Finkenbinder is excited to see how the Mustangs develop together and believes the team has the talent and mindset to make a postseason run.
“I am most excited to see how much our team grows together throughout the season,” Finkenbinder said. “I am also looking forward to improving as a middle and outside hitter.”
Finkenbinder said the Mustangs have developed a strong team dynamic, with players who are committed to competing while also enjoying their time together on the court.
“This season we have such a fun group of girls on the court,” she said. “We all want to win big games, have a positive mindset, and still manage to let loose and have a little fun on the court.”
Finkenbinder’s preparation for the season began well before the first serve. Throughout the summer, she made training a regular part of her routine, often getting into her home gym early in the morning.
“Almost every morning during the summer I was in there by 6 a.m. either running, lifting weights, or even doing agility training,” Finkenbinder said.
She also gained valuable experience playing middle hitter for Western Kansas Elite Volleyball during the winter. The opportunity allowed her to compete against stronger competition while developing her skills and building relationships with teammates.
“I was able to meet some lifelong friends, learn more skills, and be challenged by better competition,” Finkenbinder said. “I believe that helped me tremendously.”
One of Finkenbinder’s primary goals entering the season is to become a more consistent hitter. She has focused on improving her explosiveness through vertical workouts, which she believes have helped her both offensively and defensively.
“I’ve always struggled being a consistent hitter, so I decided to start doing vertical workouts,” Finkenbinder said. “They have helped me be explosive and become a better hitter and blocker.”
While Finkenbinder wants to improve her play on the court, she also wants to contribute to the Mustangs through her attitude and leadership.
“A goal that I have for myself this season is to be a team player and stay positive even if the games do not go in the way we want it to,” she said.
Finkenbinder’s biggest team goal is one shared by her teammates: earning a trip to the state tournament. She believes the Mustangs have the ability to make that goal a reality if they continue to work together.
“I think we have the skill and the mindset to do so, and every single girl on the team is always bringing 110 percent at practice,” Finkenbinder said.
That competitive mindset is something Finkenbinder believes can make this year’s team different.
“When we show up to games we have a winning mindset that we lacked last year,” she said. “We are a competitive group that want to win so badly this year, and there is not one person on our team that wants to lose.”
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