One of the most important things for a team to have in order to be successful is good chemistry. How quickly it comes about can play a huge role in how successful a team is. A team not only can develop "chemistry" on the court but off the court as well.
Coaches usually try and use many different methods early on in order to develop this in a team, but sometimes there is already something in place that can lead to the development.
One common interest that has been found in helping the University of South Alabama volleyball program achieve team chemistry this season is music.
"The great thing about music is it seems that it's something that can connect any type of person," USA head coach Nicole Keshock said. "Everybody loves some type of music. It's something that they can always talk about and listen to while hanging out or on the road together."
One way that the Jaguar women have used music to build chemistry early in the 2009 campaign began even before the players reported to preseason training camp from a newcomer to the squad.
"Over the summer, I was in the studio a lot and my dad was like 'Hey, why don't you do a song for the school?' At first, I really didn't know if I should. I didn't want them to think that I was only about my music and that I wasn't about playing volleyball," freshman Allegra Pratt said. "My dad still thought it would be a good idea and that it would help me bond with my teammates. I decided to go ahead and do it. As soon as I got here, I let my roommate [fellow freshman Olivia Mohler] hear it. She started telling everybody and everybody was excited about it."
That excitement has led the Jags to decide to put the song written by Pratt - "Let's Go" - on their warm up CD for this season.
Fellow teammate Jordan McMullan is really looking forward to the Jags hearing the song during warm ups this season.
"I've actually heard the warm up song and I think it'll be pretty cool to hear since it was written and sung by one of our own players."
Musical talents are nothing new to the Pratt family as Allegra's brother Nicholas is scheduled to be appearing on the BET Network in the future. Over the past several seasons, another one of Pratt's relatives has been a part of the program as USA has played the song "We Ready" written by Archie, a cousin of Allegra.
Along with the musical history from Pratt's family members, Pratt also gained credibility from her teammates on her own. In October, Pratt called into Steve Harvey's nationally syndicated radio show and was a contestant for a singing contest during one of the program's segments.
"He's (Steve Harvey) a comedian and usually makes fun of people when they call in and sing, but I actually made it through," Pratt said. "I was the first caller, I think, and three other people went after me. I ended up winning. He said 'Oh, wow! You're really good. Why don't you make a demo and send it to me.' I did and he sent it to some producers. So I've been working on my music."
One other player helping the team use music as another avenue to bring the group closer is junior outside hitter Juliana Almeida. Almeida returned this season as the top offensive weapon from a season ago, but even before she stepped onto the court this season, the native of Brazil has already impacted her teammates.
"I think, Jools (Juliana) has had the biggest impact so far," McMullan said. "We had an international team dinner recently and she played for all of us. I was just sitting there in awe of her and thought to myself, you know, someone can actually do something outside of volleyball and be really good at it."
Almeida has also seen what effect the bond of music can have with her teammates.
"I think that when it comes to talking to your teammates, music is something everyone can relate to," Almeida said. "Once they found out that I played the guitar, it kind of led to a connection between all of us and they wanted to hear me play. We played together and they would always say some crazy things about it, but it always made me feel good. Music has really helped bring us closer together as a group."
Keshock feels that these opportunities to be around and learn more about each other have helped the team become closer and develop an appreciation for each other.
"This type of thing wasn't even something we had planned in helping the team bond. It's just something extra that helps them to hang out and be together outside of the volleyball court," Keshock said.
There are also a number of other Jag volleyball players that have musical roots. McMullan has played a number of different instruments growing up, including the violin for two-and-a-half years in the Mobile Youth Symphony, and Jag newcomers Jennica Hagberg and Lea Katharina Thurm also have an extensive background in music. Hagberg played piano for 12 years, while Thurm played piano for three years. Junior Kari Frazier also played flute for three years growing up.
"That's what I think is amazing about this school and the athletes. When you sit them down, you find out they're just interesting people," Keshock said of having multi-talented athletes. "They grew up being successful at a lot of different things and not just in sports. I think it makes for a really well-rounded person. It's amazing that they're not just successful athletes, but they have other aspects of their life that they were successful at as well."
While other members of the team may not have the degree of musical talent that some of their other teammates have, everyone on the team can relate to the love of music.
The early team bonding seems to have already paid off for the Jags as USA opened the 2009 season last weekend with 3-1 record at the Lady Techster Tournament. Following a trip to Athens, Ga., to compete in the Georgia Dawg Invitational this weekend, the Jags return home to host the Jaguar Classic, with Southern Mississippi, Nicholls State and Jackson State in the field. South Alabama's schedule also features home dates against SBC foes Florida Atlantic (Sept. 25), Florida International (Sept. 27), Louisiana-Lafayette (Oct. 9), New Orleans (Oct. 10), Louisiana-Monroe (Oct. 11), North Texas Oct. 23), Denver (Oct. 24), Troy (Nov. 6), Middle Tennessee (Nov. 13) and Western Kentucky (Nov. 14).
Whether its on a long road trip, hanging out in the locker room or just getting to know each other better, music is the tie that binds the Jaguar volleyball team together.
