It’s possible that the Pythagorean theorem is the perfect antidote to volleyball.

Or, maybe it’s the other way around.

After a long day teaching math to enthusiastic students, South Whidbey volleyball coach Tim Durbin suspects the latter is true.

This is Durbin’s 12th year as coach, seventh in the top spot. He played after high school for over 12 years.

“I fell in love with the sport; it’s very addictive and that’s why I enjoy coaching so much. It doesn’t matter if I’m playing on sand, grass or wood,” Durbin said.

He’s looking to improve on last season’s 8-7 record, but is relentlessly realistic.

“My expectations are that we finish above the middle of the pack with ATM (Archbishop Murphy) and Kings on top,” he said. “Cedarcrest will be good, too. Basically, we’re looking at a real dog fight.”

Durbin fosters a positive attitude on his teams.

“Since tryouts they’ve been working very hard, just now getting into prime shape for volleyball,” he said. “Volleyball skills are specialized — anyone can set a ball but the moves needed to get over the net are unique to the sport; a varsity setter has to control the ball.”

You can be a good athlete but not necessarily a good player; footwork is important if you don’t want to look silly out there, Durbin said.

On Saturday, the team traveled to Yakima for a jamboree.

“The tournament was a good baseline to see who should start the season and at which position,” Durbin said. “We were able to get everyone in at least two games and give them that needed varsity

experience.”

Senior Courtney Dettrich agreed.

“It’s a test for us to get ready and find out how we do in our locations on the court,” Dettrich said.

Dettrich added that her class has always been shadowed by the class ahead.

“Not any more, and I’m excited by our chances,” she said.

Caitilynn Larmore felt the tournament helped in team building and getting the rotation down.

“It was a learning experience for all of us. The coach moved everyone around to get a solid idea what works. And we improved our team chemistry,” Larmore said.

Durbin noted that Larmore will be playing on the outside this year.

“She has great focus and has emerged a leader,” he said. “She came to me and asked, ‘What can I do to get better?’ That’s the kind of question coaches love.”

“Chelsey Backus needs to step up as setter; Whitney Wood has shown real improvement over last season and Lindsey Newman may be moving to outside hitter,” the coach said.

Durbin is especially proud of freshman Allison Wood, who had 13 kills in her very first varsity experience in Yakima.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, the girls welcome Cedarcrest in Erickson Gym.