One of Whitehall’s volleyball team’s major issues is glaring one - they have been inconsistent.

“The season so far can best be described as a roller coaster ride,” said Zephyr’s head coach Cristal Fernandez. “We took some tough losses early on, and for a stretch, the team was really in a lull.

We were still figuring out how to bounce back after losing the first set and, more importantly, how to reconnect and get everyone on the same page.”

The Zephyrs (4-6) suffered through a three-game losing streak in the early season, then responded with a three-game winning streak before being in their current two-game funk.

Fernandez pointed to the team’s three-game winning streak with victories over Stroudsburg, Pocono Mountain East, and Allen as a sign of their potential.

“Those three games were incredibly rewarding,” beamed Fernandez. “We came back to reverse-sweep Stroudsburg and then followed that up with a three-set sweep against Pocono Mountain East tonight.

“The energy and communication from the bench has started to carry onto the court in a really infectious way, and the girls are finally starting to click as a team. It feels like we’re finding our identity and learning how to fight for each other.”

It was a reversal of what Fernandez previously saw from her team.

“It was almost like we were missing that “hive mind” you see in ‘Stranger Things’ (TV series) — everyone was playing, but we weren’t always playing together,” said Fernandez. “That three-game losing streak really showed that disconnect.”

Fernandez cited the play of senior Lasereon James and junior Makenna Reichenbach, who have helped space the team with their leadership and experience.

“They have really started to create a flow with one another,” emphasized Fernandez. “Their setter-to-hitter connection has developed significantly over the past few practices, and we’re seeing that chemistry translate directly into games. Their connection is becoming a big part of our offensive rhythm.”

Fernandez also has been impressed with newcomers sophomore Ty’Veih Wilson and junior Ashlyn Felker.

“They’re both finding their groove and definitely causing some waves — in the best way,” said Fernandez. “Ty is only a sophomore and is still learning the pace and intensity of the varsity game, but she has shown that she can step up and come through when things get tight. Ashlyn is also making her presence known as our libero. She’s becoming much more aggressive and comfortable with the responsibility that comes with being the ‘quarterback’ of our defense.”

Fernandez anticipated that the season would have its share of peaks and valleys.”

“As for whether the season has gone as expected, I’d say not exactly — but in a good way,” offered Fernandez. “We knew there would be growing pains, but I don’t think we expected the early struggles to challenge us quite as much as they did.

“At the same time, those struggles have made the recent success that much more rewarding. We’re still a work in progress, but the difference in our energy, communication and confidence over these past few games has been noticeable.”

In the upcoming weeks, Fernandez hopes her club can mature down the stretch.

“The goal now is to keep building that momentum, but most importantly, to remember that this season is going to feel like a roller coaster at times,” said Fernandez. “When things start to dip or feel out of our control, we need to take a step back, reanalyze, process what’s happening, and then focus on producing what is within our control. If we can do that, I think we’ll be in a really good place moving forward.”