Over the past few years, the girls volleyball team hasn’t had the best record in terms of wins to losses.
However, with a brand new coach and two teams full of girls ready to work that streak shouldn’t last much longer.
This year, the Ben Davis girls volleyball team introduced their new head varsity coach, Danielle Oglesby, who brings her daughter Destinee “Dessy” Evans with her to play for the team. Coach Katie Grande is the varsity assistant coach and Coach Karen Witherite is the head JV coach.
The girls celebrate Senior Night tonight at home against Park Tudror. It is one of two Senior Nights on campus tonight as the boys soccer team will celebaret its seniors prior to the 7 p.m. start.

Senior Preslie Adams talks about her time on the volleyball team. Adams mentions that Coach Dani cares about the team and wants to help them.
“Yes, I think Coach Dani has changed the atmosphere of the team,” Adams said. “She genuinely cares about us and can see our potential.”
Adams states the team’s style has gotten faster, but not getting to a high level.
“The team’s playing style has become faster, and more about volleyball IQ, not just getting the ball over,” said Adams, who is one the senior leaders. “Something I never stopped doing is being a leader on and off the court, even when I’m not playing I’m always going to push the team to be better.”
Senior Katelyn Potter speaks about her time on the team.
Potter says that Coach Dani pushes the team more and holds them to a higher level.
“I think she has changed it because she holds us to a higher standard and she pushes us more, both as a team and as individual players,” Potter said.
Potter mentions that the team has changed playing styles to focus on game reactions and positions.
“This year I think we’ve mixed it up more, by having players practice more or different positions,” she said. “I think it has given us more options as a team, and allows us to react better in certain game situations.”
Katelyn states that she’s always been thinking about ways to better her abilities and improve. “Something I’ve never stopped thinking about is how I can improve, or what I can do differently if I mess something up.”
Coach Oglesby states that the girls are playing with more confidence and there have been more smiles, she’s also excited to help put on a better record.
“I’ve seen improvement in the team since I joined,” the first-year BD coach said. “The girls are playing with more confidence, and our offense is moving faster. I’ve seen more smiles and excitement about the game of volleyball over the past few weeks. It’s exciting to know that we will have a better record than what was recorded last year.”
Coach Dani says the team lacked communication and teamwork skills on the court. “When I first started coaching, I realized that the team’s communication and teamwork skills on the court needed improvement. Players were not working together seamlessly, and miscommunications were leading to errors on the court. The love for volleyball was there but we lacked the volleyball IQ to be a successful program.”
Coach Dani mentions that no matter if the team wins or loses she tells the girls need to fight for every point. “I always tell the girls that I don’t mind if we lose. I can take losing, but make it hard for them to take that win from you. Make them fight for each and every point. Make them remember you, even if it’s a loss.”
Assistant coach Grande says the girls have been pushed to play at a faster level and are achieving that.
“The girls are playing a much faster style of volleyball. As a coaching staff we have really pushed the girls to play at a higher and faster level of play,” she said. “The girls have a desire to compete with other teams which means playing faster and at a higher level.”
Coach Katie says that the girls’ attitudes have improved and they seem more confident. “The girls this season have a much more positive attitude. They are confident and willing to make changes. They see they can win and push to do better.” Coach Katie states that she thinks Coach Dani has changed the girls in ways that have helped the girls to become better versions of themselves. “Coach Dani has definitely changed the atmosphere of the team and program. She has challenged the team both physically and mentally and shown them how to work hard and be a competitive team. Coach Dani has been an amazing asset to the program and she is showing us what Ben Davis volleyball can be.”