The athletes at Perry all have an intenseness about them, especially the passionate girl volleyball players. They are an intimidating group ranking number four in the state and number fifty-ninth in the country.

Why is it these girls make their opponents feel so overwhelmed? Is it the genius coaching style of Coach Fred Mann, or the senior leadership, or is it both of these components working together like a well oiled machine?

Kennedy Kaminsky a four year varsity player says, “we are stronger this year because of the strong leadership.”

This solid management she is talking about is the seven seniors, which is the most they have ever had on varsity.

Seniors like Ryann Davis, Katie Koski, Halle Razo, and even Kaminsky herself all have huge reputations to live up to; considering they have been on varsity since freshman year.

For instance Davis, an outside hitter “has great coordination” which Mann commented on, “she already has eighty-six kills this season.”

Another fierce senior: Alexis Keith. She stands at six feet tall, making her perfect for the outside hitter position.

She rules over the court, as seen through her stats. As of now she has 105 kills this season alone.

These seniors are leaving an inspiring legacy, but where did they get their aggressive talent and energy? From the one and only; Coach Mann who has been playing the game since high school and has been working as a head coach for 25 years.

Coach Mann sees these girls “as people not just payers” Katie Koski said. She also commented on his coaching technique as, “more personal,” she made sure to emphasis that “he doesn’t run you into the ground.”

When Mann was offered the position of head coach he met with the [former] coach at the time and she told him not to take the job. “She said the ‘parents are a nightmare, the kids are drama, you can’t win with those kids’” he chuckled, “fortunately I didn’t listen to her.”

The Pumas were a team that “could not win” and now they are the number four high school team in the state. It took them some time but they grew as players and people and now have an extremely dedicated and talented team.