EVERETT — For some Marysville Getchell sports teams, the effects of splitting a student population across two schools have been more obvious than others. The Chargers girls volleyball team is one group of athletes who struggled this season, while their former teammates at Marysville-Pilchuck have made it to the district tournament. The difference lies in experience.

“Our program is basically teaching the fundamentals of the game,” said MG head coach Mindy Staudinger. “More than one third of the girls trying out had never played the game before. A lot of this is learning the game.”

The Chargers competed against Everett High School in an away game on Oct. 24, and lost 3-0. They scored only four points in the first game of the night, but quickly caught up, scoring 20 points in game two and 12 points in game three. It was their final game of the season, which they finished without a single victory.

“There is building on this team in the sense that we didn’t have a C team before, and now we had enough players come out this year to build a C team,” said Staudinger. “We are giving kids the opportunity to play who otherwise would never get that opportunity.”

And despite a season filled with consistent losses, the Chargers aren’t lacking in skill.

“They’ve made improvements and they are really working on defense, that’s kind of their calling,” said Staudinger. “They are not necessarily the strongest hitters, but they have really been working on it.”

The Chargers have three seniors on their team, who Staudinger applauded for their strength, leadership and dedication.

“Mikaela Schwartz, K’Leia Wilson and [Alexys] Wilson have done a great job this season,” she said. “[Alexys] had never played before, so it’s great to see how far she’s come.”

The team also looks toward the future, for players who will be up the challenge of putting MG on the map.

“Mekalani Echevarria will be a senior next year, and she’ll bring a lot of strength. Ashlyn Sievers, who is out tonight due to a partially torn Achilles tendon, will be returning as well, as long as she can get healthy. Hailey Nicholson is continuing to get better.”

Following the Oct. 24 game against the Seagulls, the team presented Staudinger with a card containing heartfelt thanks and praise for good leadership.

“They are just really nice girls,” she said.