The fourth set resulted in a tally of 21 points to Marshall and 25 points to O’Connor. 

O’Conners volleyball girls showed a strong match , Marshall—with commitment—contentedly fell to the hands of the loss; from ear to ear, both teams smiled in their play.

Sports spectators tend to worry more about the external factors of sports. Focused on the winning, the losing, the triumph, the failure. But as sports fans, they don’t see the connection, the little victories, and the happiness players feel even in the heat of loss. 

“My experience and this team has not only been about volleyball, but also about how to adapt to things beyond your own control and form bonds with people/positions you never would have thought,” libero Otilia Gheorghe said.

The premise of a game is to test one another’s skills, to adapt and grow your programmed way of thinking. Facing other opponents stimulates passionate curiosity within your practice. While our girl’s varsity volleyball team ended with a loss by the O’Connor Panthers, the earthly beams on their faces said all the more. 

“…The fact that we’re comfortable with each other and how close we are as friends, it really helps us have fun,” stats keeper Sahory Fernandez said. 

Practicing endurance in training is displayed undeniably by the team’s performance on Oct. 18. Making a lasting impression of devotion to the art of volleyball. 

“You have to be able to jump. You have to be quick. You have to have endurance for those rallies that happen for a long time. Training is really important when it comes to preventing injury; to being successful and to improve our skills,” head volleyball director, Coach Sturgeon said. 

As Sturgeon noted, success is built on resilience and teamwork, qualities that extend far beyond the court. The smiles shared, the laughter echoing during practice, and the unyielding support they provide each other are what truly matter.

The girls hustled from the opening to the outcome, ending the season off with persistence.