On the heels of serving up Annapolis Area Christian School's first A Conference playoff win in school history in 2022, Head Coach Jennie Murduck comes into her 2nd season raring to roll with a deep roster of returners. The seasoned group, sprinkled with a few newcomers, are galvanized to block any opponent in the path of the Eagles ultimate goal of hoisting the IAAM A Championship hardware.

The veteran-laced squad includes ten seniors, who rallied for a trip to the A Conference semifinals and put their mark on the school record board as juniors. That success was preceded by an impressive undefeated regular season run in the B conference in their sophomore campaign. Yet with the IAAM B playoff title within reach two years ago, a series of unfortunate injuries halted the team's bid a match short of the finals. The experience played a pivotal role in molding the tight knit group into fierce competitors that have an all or nothing mindset.

"They have been through that hardship and they are determined to see their destiny through," praised Murduck. "This year's group has a very strong connection. They're very motivated and are working harder, listening more, and applying the little things that make a big difference."

Murduck, who's been coaching volleyball at various levels since the 1980's, knows a thing or two about adversity. Her collegiate aspirations to be a standout player at Indiana University were thwarted when the program folded. Murduck has risen to apply her skills and knowledge to the girls she mentors but also wants them to grasp how much confidence she has in them.

"Obviously, when you coach you open a vein and bleed for these kids," Murduck emphasized. "When I played I didn't have the support of someone who believed in me, telling me to go out and never give up. I'm really trying to instill that in our players."

Read the rest of the story on the IAAM website.