Game Day for STE Saints Volleyball

After an unexpected loss to the Northland varsity volleyball team in State last year, the Saint Thomas’ Episcopalvarsity volleyball team was ready to prove that they have what it takes to defeat Northland and come out on top.  

Sept. 21: Day before White Out Game

Coach Kayle Ray has a surprise waiting for the volleyball team as they make their way into the locker room. She and Coach Terri Petties bought chalk for the girls to draw their own volleyball pictures on the walkway leading to the gym.

Blasting music, they sketched out their names and jersey numbers while talking animatedly. An hour later, the walkway was filled with colorful sketches and the girls were covered with chalk, but the bonding the team acquired was unbreakable.

Sept. 22: Game Day

At the completion of the school day, the volleyball team made their way to the locker room with anticipation and excitement on their mind. After supporting the JV team, STE players watched as the Northland varsity team started to make their way into the gym and soon began to get warmed-up.

5:50 p.m. - STE students wearing white came filing through the door carrying homemade signs and navy and gold pom poms. The Spirit Club came decked out in white jerseys and face paint to support their fellow classmates. “The fans were amazing . . . they were the positive energy we needed to win this game,” said team leader, Jordan Allen ‘17.   

6 p.m.: - Let the games begin! With the roar of the fans, the varsity team appeared with a determination that they would not let what happened to the last year get to them. After shaking hands with the other team and breaking the huddle, they took their positions and went to work.

6:35 p.m.: - Winning the first set, they felt lighter and got ready to win with three sets; however, things don’t always go as planned. Northland had a five-point lead and they were nearing 25 points. “I kept telling the them that we had to pick up our intensity if we wanted to win,” explained Gia Petties ‘17. However, Northland gained momentum from their lead and won the second set.

7:30 p.m.: - Northland won two sets leaving the Saints with only one set. The fourth set began. The Saints shook off the nerves and pushed through to win the set. “It was a little nerve racking, but I knew that if we got to the fifth set we could win,” explained Jordan Allen ‘17. The STE Saints did just that, and the fifth set was all about the teamwork they had acquired and the communication they had practiced.

9 p.m. - High-fiving their fans, they screamed and danced around, happy to finally beat the team that had beaten them last year. “It was such a great feeling.  We worked hard to get to that point and it proves that we can do anything if we all work together,” Gia Petties ‘17 said.

Find the remainder of the STE Saints volleyball schedule here.