As part of their 2016 pre-season training, the Mayville State University volleyball team members participated in the North Dakota Army National Guard (NDARNG) ROPES program. On Friday, Aug. 12, SFC Katie Buzick and CPL Baren Sinner brought the program to the Mayville State campus, where they worked on problem-solving, communication, and teamwork with 16 Comets volleyball players.
The NDARNG ROPES program is designed to help students develop skills for real-life situations. The interactive activities involve all members of the group and provide fun ways to manage and overcome today’s life and career challenges.
In the seminar, the women learned to appreciate the value of the whole team in a competitive culture; integrate both passive and aggressive individuals into the team; understand teamwork as a management strategy for improving communication and building trust; create effective teamwork by committing to being positive team players; understand team leadership and its impact on individual behavior; and develop a culture that encourages teamwork.
“We are happy to have kicked off our 2016 season in this way,” said Comets volleyball head coach Lindsey Johnson. “The ROPES training helped reinforce the values and concepts that we work on every day during our practices and games. We are grateful to the North Dakota Army National Guard for making this training possible.”
Photo caption: SFC Katie Buzick with the Army National Guard gives instructions for one of the ROPES program activities she is leading with the Mayville State women’s volleyball team.