Student sections play a major role in school spirit and in the players’ performance. Student sections are a way to create a lively spirit at games in what can sometimes be a very stressful environment. At St. Andrew’s, Varsity Volleyball is a very popular sport to attend and the student section is often filled to the last row. This means the themes that Seniors on the Volleyball team select for students in the students section are very important. In addition, the themes often encourage attendance as they give students an outlet to use old costumes or wear colorful clothing. At the Varsity Volleyball game in August, Senior Alleah Paulding made the theme Wig Out. “I choose the themes based on what I think will make people come out to the Volleyball games and what will allow students to use old costumes they never wear at home,” Paulding said. “The more people that show out, the more energy all of the Volleyball players have” 

Similarly, players have noted how their performance improves based on how many students there are and how encouraging the student section is at Volleyball games. “The more people show up to games, the better I play and [the better] the team performs,” Senior Addie Larose said.”I love when I look over and there are a bunch of people dressed up in the student sections.”

 In addition, the students love to show up when the themes are fun, since they get to use old costumes and wear fun colors while supporting their friends. “I love going to the Volleyball games and supporting all my friends,” Senior Lily Kreps said. “Last week I got to wear my favorite pjs and also made a sign to support all my friends.” 

Even though the team loves when people show up they also want everyone’s chants to be appropriate. Therefore, Paulding and Senior Arnav Patel, student body president and vice president, made an educational video in the last week of August about appropriate chants to make in a student section. This way students can cheer positively and appropriately. Then at the volleyball game on September 2nd the attendance consequently increased. 

“I just love to see students supporting the Volleyball team,” Paulding said, “it makes for a much better game.”