“Look good, feel good. Feel good, play good.” This is a common phrase you’ll hear among athletes on team sports. Although it isn’t necessarily scientifically true, or grammatically correct, there seems to be some truth to the statement.

Our latest example is our 2017 Varsity Volleyball team. The squad, also known as “Karen’s VB Krew,” has jumped out to a 6-2 record, outplaying opponents along the way. One look at the team and you’d probably notice they’re lacking height, but they make up for it with tremendous athleticism and teamwork. And please don’t be fooled by those sweet, innocent faces either. Once they step onto the court, they’re coming for that W.

So as the team is collecting wins this season, I can’t help but notice they’re dominating while wearing sweet new uniforms. Have you noticed when teams get a new uniform, they tend to have an awesome season? Don’t believe me? Here’s some evidence:

• 1999: The Tennessee Titans get sleek new uniforms! That season, they made it to the Super Bowl. (They lost to the St. Louis Rams who got new uniforms the following season and made it back to the Super Bowl)
• 2003: The Cleveland Cavaliers got a completely new uniform design… and also used the number one pick in the draft to select some guy named LeBron James. They more than doubled their amount of wins from the previous season and well, the rest is history.
• 2005: Appalachian State University football gets fresh new uniforms! That season they go on to win their first of three consecutive NCAA 1-AA Football championships.

So yeah, I think there might be something to this.

The new threads for the volleyball team are a result of Carmel Christian School’s switch from royal blue to navy blue. A somewhat subtle change that’s had a big impact. At this point last season, the Cougars were just barely over the .500 mark, posting a 5-4 record. They eventually made their first ever State Playoffs appearance, however, something’s different this year.

When asked about the difference between last season and this season, head coach Karen Bradbury said,

“I would say the number one thing is the positive team camaraderie and team support. These girls bring each other up, they value each other’s differences in abilities and capitalize on that.”

But come on, the uniforms have also helped too, right?

“Ahh… no.”

Ok, so coach isn’t exactly buying it, so I asked a player to see what she thought.

Lindsey Albright (senior) – “I don’t think so. They make you sweat a lot more. We look neat, but I don’t think it’s helping us win.”

Well… ok then.

If you haven’t attended a game yet this season, you’re missing out on some intense action. (No seriously, just watch when Sarah McNeilly goes up to spike the ball. That girl is tiny but she is coming with the HEAT!) The 2017 Varsity Volleyball team is definitely a force to be reckoned with. They’re a tight-knit, competitive, skilled, and very athletic group, and we’re excited to watch the rest of their season. Will the new uniforms result in a title run?  I don’t know. But I do know they’d look good next to a state championship trophy.

Remember, “look good, feel good. Feel good, play good.”