E-City Set On Improving

Building a competitive volleyball program is not an easy undertaking, especially in an area like Everglades City, where neighboring schools and facilities are a hefty car ride away. But venerable Everglades City volleyball coach Becky Welch, who has coached at the school for 46 years, likes what she saw when the Gators hosted Marco Island Academy, one of the top teams in Southwest Florida. 

While her improving Gators didn’t take a set from the Rays, losing 25-8, 25-13, 25-19, Welch sees her team on an upward trajectory. And while she realizes her team hasn’t caught up with MIA and some of the other top programs in the area, she feels her Gators are heading in the right direction. 

“Our goal was to keep improving each game,” Welch said of Thursday’s game. “The first game we ended here,” she said, holding her hand low. “Second game, we scored more points. And then third game, we finally went ahead. So that's climbing the ladder. It was exciting.” 

One area where Everglades City always holds its own - and often dominates - is in school spirit. The tight-knit community supports their kids. And they’re vocal. When the Gators held a lead in the third set, the gym was rocking. 

“Tonight it didn't matter if we were behind,” Welch said. "They kept the spirit going. And that was huge because usually when a team starts losing, you start to lose the crowd. But the crowd stayed in it the entire time.” 

The Gators held leads of 8-6, 11-7, 13-8, and 16-13 in the third set before the Rays closed the door. The home crowd was roaring like it was a conference championship game, which the two schools have participated in over the years, notably in boys and girls basketball. 

Welch said the community is behind the volleyball program. 

"They are committed to playing volleyball,” Welch said, "like the rest of the world. It's always a hard thing because of distance. Financial means. Commitment from parents. We're in a remote area, or rural area. I know Marco Island's out on an island, and Immokalee's out there, but they all have programs available around them. We have nothing around us. So the parents finally got on board, realized there's some talent here, and they started investing. All my kids, all nine of them, are now committed to a travel team. They're all on different teams. They're going to strength training. They’re living like the rest of the kids. And that really makes them feel good that they can compete now, because they're getting the same training and same coaching and playing with other kids. We call it getting over the bridge, and they're being exposed to things they've never seen, coaching, different players. And I think that's helped them tremendously. And they're handling it wonderfully.” 

Welch credits her assistants for much of the team’s improvement. 

 "I've got this great assistant right here,” Welch said, motioning to Amie Richards, who played for local power Seacrest, which has won multiple state championships. Richards also played college volleyball at Lynn University in Boca Raton. Welch also praises athletic director Jason Mayberry.   

“Jason is one of my former students and players from when I was coaching the boys,” Welch said. “He's our athletic director now, and we've been coaching together quite a few years.” 

Welch sees a bright future for her young team who are off to a 6-2 start. 

“We have five ninth graders, two sophomores, and two juniors - and one junior will graduate as a senior,” Welch said. "We have no seniors, so they're going to be together for a while. And now they're finally understanding what it takes to get to a higher level of playing. And they're doing it. They're executing it. And I think it's wonderful for them because they're going seven days a week. Even in the summer they were finding the right camps, the right everything. The parents are so invested, and that's awesome.”