While some people enjoy solitary sports such as swimming, skiing, or golf, others prefer team sports that bring people together, such as football, hockey, or soccer. Senior Gayle Konderla has been on the soccer team since her freshman year and has formed a tight niche with the players while having fun playing soccer.
“Soccer is more than just playing on a field and kicking a ball around and running,” Gayle said. “It’s a family and it’s love and it’s fun.”
After struggling last year and going 0-12 in district, this year’s team hopes to make it deep into the playoffs and Gayle believes with hard work and dedication they can.
“We only lost one game to Consol and we shouldn’t have lost that game because we three people were out,” Gayle said. “I know we are going to get into playoffs and I hope we get pretty far in those.”
The team is like a family to Gayle, as everyone cares for each other and gets along most of the time.
“I think this year we have stronger bond than any of the past years I have been on the team,” Gayle said. “Everyone is friendly with each other, we are all friends and we all get along.”
However, having disagreements on the team has helped Gayle learn to accept and work with all types of people.
“We are teenage girls and we butt heads over silly things sometimes,” Gayle said. “But [being on the soccer team] has taught me how to be friends with people who I normally wouldn’t hang out with and how to be in a group with people who are different from me.”
Playing on the team has helped Gayle adapt to different circumstances and learn to work with other people.
“You are going to come in contact with people who you maybe disagree with or don’t like very much,” Gayle said. “Playing high school soccer has taught me how to be with people like that.”
While Gayle says she isn’t the best player on the team, she works hard to improve so she can play more.
“Last year, I didn’t play much but this year I’ve started almost every game,” Gayle said. “I’m one of the top scorers on the team and it’s not because I’m the best player on the team, but I’m one of the hardest workers.”
Gayle helps motivate the team and push them to work harder and win through her interaction with others.
“Gayle brings an energy that is positive and contagious,” girls soccer coach Christopher Gibson said. “She strives to be better than yesterday and looks to share that intensity with those around her.”
Gayle helps the team through her positive attitude and commitment to the game, as she strives to improve.
“[Gayle is] motivated and self-determined so I feel she has a positive impact on the team,” teammate Senior Tori Saenz said.
While Gayle loves soccer, she also loves being together with the team and having a good time.
“A lot of the memories I have from high school soccer are the bus rides to the game and back and before games,” Gayle said. “We are always singing random songs and just having a good time and just hanging out, being high school girls.”
