Walking into the Havoc House on Tuesday evening was overwhelming. The bleachers were packed from top to bottom with families and friends, all wearing red and Columbia blue in support of the team. Signs of the senior players’ faces were held proudly in the air by parents. And the booming drums from the Band of Blue echoed off the walls of the auditorium.
Senior Night is always highly anticipated, but this year the ZHS family really showed up for the team! The night began with honoring each senior individually. The seniors honored were Emily Montalbano (12), Aubrey Sanders (12), Nyla Doiron (12), Remington Quibodeaux (12), and team manager Maddie McPherson (12). Upon being announced, each girl walked down a path formed by her teammates on either side of her. Their coach, Cherilani Perry, then gave them gifts and hugs, showing them her love and appreciation. After congratulations from their parents and a quick group picture, the team was ready to begin the game.
The girls started off strong in period one, quickly pulling ahead of Southern Lab. However, their domination was short-lived. At 20 points for the Broncos, Southern Lab began to recoup and gain points, jumping from 15 points to 22 points while the Broncos only gained four points in that time, getting them to 24. Thankfully, the girls were able to remain in the lead, earning one more point to end the period at 25 to 22.
Period two was a breeze for the girls. With their opponents exhausted from their near win in period one, the Broncos were able to end the period in the lead with a score of 25 to 13.
After two periods, the Broncos’ fatigue started to show in period three. Though, with encouragement from the fans and their coach, the girls were able to keep a lead on Southern Lab, ending the period 25 to 21.
With sweaty, but smiling faces, the end of the game was a bittersweet moment for all of the girls on the team. The idea that four of their teammates won’t be playing beside them next year lurked in the backs of the juniors’ and underclassmen’s minds. For the seniors, this game acknowledged the nearing end of a four-year adventure.
Senior Aubrey Sanders, who’s been playing volleyball since fifth grade, expressed her reluctance to leave her teammates.
“I love [my teammates]. They’re really fun to be around. They’re really uplifting and just really kind… I’m absolutely devastated [about leaving them],” Sanders (12) said.
Similarly, senior Nyla Doiron is sad to leave the people she’s connected with over the last four years.
“[I love] the team atmosphere. We really bond a lot as a team. And just being able to fight… for the same goals is just kind of like something that’s cool,” Doiron (12) said.
While the game did evoke sadness from the team, it also allowed the seniors to look forward into the next chapters of their lives. It was the perfect way to honor the last four years and everything the soon-to-be graduates have dedicated and committed to the team.
