All about attitude for Safford
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Sometimes a change in attitude can be more significant than a change in technique or strategy.
Safford volleyball coach Janene Ward decided to take a brand-new approach when her Bulldogs played at a tournament in Goodyear on Oct. 17.
That approach helped the Bulldogs finish second behind 5A Division I power Chandler Basha at the tourney.
The new look was on full display at Safford High School on Tuesday against Pima.
Normally a very reserved bench, Safford’s players were jumping up and down and cheering for every winning point — and that’s not all.
Ward, known as a stoic and serious coach, was running up and down the sideline and high-fiving her players.
A veteran coach of 16 years, Ward appeared to enjoy the new approach as much as her players.
After beating Pima 3-0, Ward joked that the only downside of the newfound enthusiasm was that it was tiring. She had broken into a sweat during the match.
Safford (13-3) beat Globe 3-0 on Thursday and moved to No. 2 in the state power rankings behind No. 1 Fountain Hills (15-2).
