AJ Peterson is an ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Seton Catholic Preparatory for AZPreps365.com

Many groups, businesses and teams have a motto or a set of core values to motivate their members to be unified in acting a certain way. For Seton Catholic’s girls volleyball team, that motto is “family first.” 

In everything they do, both on and off the court, the Sentinel players do their best to live by this mentality. Not only does it encompass the players’ immediate family, but head coach James Johnson sees the team as an “extended family.” 

“They know they can come here and be themselves and not worry about the outside world,” Johnson said.

Much of Seton’s coaching staff is made up of former Seton students, including Johnson. The “family first” culture was preached to him from a very young age.

“Seton is family,” Johnson said. 

One way that Johnson describes the Sentinels’ “extended family” dynamic is that the team is not only made up of the players and coaches, but also the parents of the players. 

“Family has just been such an important piece to rounding my foundation and life,” said Johnson, noting that it has helped him to be appreciative of every opportunity he has had. “I just try to instil that in everybody that I come in contact with.”

For the Sentinel players, being a part of such a tight-knit group has given them a network that they can rely on, both inside and outside of McMahon Gymnasium. Senior Nicole Engelbert finds that the chemistry and trust her team has on the court has translated to a strong support system in other areas of life. 

“Not only are we teammates, but we support each other through everything no matter what,” Engelbert said. “It’s truly special.”

Johnson took over as head coach two years ago, when Engelbert and the other seniors were sophomores. Since then, the varsity, JV and freshman teams have held their practices together, creating a great sense of community amongst the girls. 

Senior captains Ally Van Devender and Gracie Shearan have noticed the coaching staff’s way of teaching through actions rather than words. Their selfless motivation and “family first” attitude has contributed to the special environment on the girls volleyball team. 

“We try to limit our words and let our actions speak,” Johnson said. 

However, on the court, verbal communication is necessary. In order to be on the same page while playing, the team must effectively communicate: calling out passes, formations, plays, etc. Engelbert agrees team chemistry is vital.

“If you don’t have that, then you’re kind of fighting your own battle alone,” Engelbert said. “That’s not what a team is.”

That chemistry for the Sentinels, as mentioned previously, translates off the court as well. Van Devender and Shearan mentioned that teammates will often meet in a classroom and just talk through things such as homework, life and more when someone needs extra help. 

“If I need a friend, they always have my back,” Shearan said. Van Devender added, “Everyone is just there for you all the time.”

The biggest lesson that the Sentinels seem to have taken away from the “family first” focus is selflessness. The focus turns from themselves to their teammates, because they are constantly looking out for each other.

“It makes me always think about the other girl next to me on the volleyball court,” Shearan said. 

Van Devender also noticed that she has begun to care more about the people surrounding her since the “family first” mentality was introduced. It’s something she is grateful for that will shape the rest of her life. 

“It’s made me a much more compassionate person,” Van Devender said. “I’ve learned how to do that with friendships outside of volleyball, too.”

It’s no surprise that the “family first” mentality that Johnson works to instil in his players has had a major impact on the team that stretches far beyond their record. It is something that is unique to Seton, which the players are grateful for.

“I didn’t experience anything like this until I got to this program,” Engelbert said. “That’s something that this school has over any other school.”