WASHINGTON —
Mental toughness. It is a phrase often used to describe an attitude, a way to carry yourself and most importantly a path leading to success.
In this case, mental toughness may be key to the amount of success the Washington Hatchets volleyball team achieves this postseason.
All season head coach Alicia Hand preached to her team that being focused mentally on the task at hand is the most important aspect of being successful. The Hatchets have talent, that was easy to see as they won 14 games this season.
At times the Hatchets lacked that mental toughness that Hand asks for every game on the way to 20 losses.
Despite an up and down season, the Hatchets get to start over this weekend at 0-0 just like every other team in the state.
The ability to start over brings optimism, similiar to when the season started in August, when fans, players and coaches alike believe anything is possible. Sure, anything is possible, but each team has deficiencies and the Hatchets are no different.
Hatchets’ star senior Paige Hawthorne is enduring her own battle with mental toughness.
Hawthorne, one of the vocal and emotional leaders of the Washington squad, sustained a left wrist injury during the Heritage Hills Invitational Oct. 6.
During the season finale loss at Barr-Reeve, the Hatchets senior did her best to play through the injury to her wrist, but it visibly impacted her ability to square up and hit her shots without grimacing in pain.
At this time of the year few athletes are completely healthy. Ask any athlete and you know there is a difference between being hurt and injured.
Hawthorne is hurt, but she will tough it out.
Hand couldn’t elaborate on the severity of the injury, but said it will be tough on Hawthorne, but maintained that, she just like the rest of her teammates must stay mentally tough.
“Getting used to having it taped and not getting frustrated with yourself is important,” Hand said. “She’s had struggled, but she’s playing through the pain.”
Hawthorne will be out there with her teammates Saturday afternoon as the Hatchets try to advance past their first opponent in the Jasper sectional.
Hawthorne might not be 100 percent, but she will be there front and center for the black and gold. Mental toughness comes in many forms. Hawthorne’s is the type that can help lead a team to success.
Local Sports
Hawthorne shows toughness in injury
Glade's Games
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WHS falls to Lincoln
Washington (50-30) got good performances from its two youngest players, but the Hatchets lost to Vincennes Lincoln 160-169 Wednesday evening.
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Vikings ready for Regional
The Barr-Reeve softball team has had an up and down season, but they are playing the best ball of the season at the right time.
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Sorrells wins regional
Barr-Reeve senior Connor Sorrell’s hopes of winning two state championships in running are still on course following Thursday’s boys track regional at Evansville Central.
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Chattin, Stallman win doubles sectional title
Washington's Rachel Chattin and Audra Stallman defeated Madison Reed and Taylor Jeffers of North Daviess, 6-1, 6-4, Wednesday to win the doubles sectional championship.
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Pacers miss golden opportunity
The Indiana Pacers had the Miami Heat right where they wanted them in the waning moments of overtime Wednesday night, but they couldn’t get out of their own way long enough to secure their most important playoff victory in more than a decade.
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Rivet beats Lions in 1st round of sectional
Loogootee saw its chance to repeat as sectional champions end in dramatic fashion as Vincennes Rivet claimed the opening game of Sectional 63 with a 5-4, nine-inning win at Les Page Field on Wednesday.
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Hatchets season ends with loss to Jasper
Washington senior pitcher Brayden Walls had one of the best seasons in Hatchet history, but he couldn’t will his team to one more win.
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Loogootee falls to Rivet in Sectional 63
LOOGOOTEE - Loogootee saw its chance to repeat as sectional champions end in dramatic fashion as Vincennes Rivet claimed the opening game of Sectional 63 with a 5-4, nine-inning win at Les Page Field on Wednesday.
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Wagler, Stoll pace Vikings
Brandon Wagler and Myron Stoll each hit three-run home runs as Barr-Reeve defeated Eastern Greene, 15-3, in six innings Monday.
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WHS camp is Monday
The Washington Hatchet's Summer Tennis Camp begins Monday at the Lena Dunn Elementary School courts.
Boys and girls entering grades three through eight this coming school year wishing to participate may register when the camp begins at 9 a.m. The camp continues each day until 10:30 a.m. through Thursday.
Each player should bring a racket (one can be provided), a towel and a water bottle.
The cost of the camp is $25 per person. Checks should be made to WHS Boys Tennis. - More Local Sports Headlines
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