Girls’ volleyball defeated South 3-1 on Friday, Oct. 24 in an intense, seat-gripping senior night matchup.
The gym was decked out in balloons, streamers, and Tiger pride, and the team’s energy and the audience’s support were palpable. North’s student section cheered with the utmost passion, holding up homemade signs for their beloved seniors.
Right off the bat, the South Lions attacked the court with aggression, but they were no match for the Tigers, who kept a brave face and continued pushing through to win the first set.
After a quick huddle with head coach Nile Fox, the Tigers went into formation for the second set. The team lost three points in a row on its serves, but it didn’t falter in its efforts. These seemingly useless points lost only motivated the Tigers more, according to junior Sasha Selivan, a captain alongside seniors Alanya O’Connell and Charlotte Pernisie.
“We were sloppy in the beginning, but by the end of the second set, Alayna started making a lot of aces,” Selivan added.
As the set proceeded, the score continuously flipped back and forth in favor of the Tigers and Lions. The teams were constantly neck-and-neck and tensions were high.
“The whole gym was dead silent at one point,” said junior Julia Jauregui, a spectator. “Excitement was pulsing through the air.”
When the score reached 22-24, the Tigers huddled on the sidelines and practiced their motivational chant before returning to the court. Junior Nora Hamel made a clutch tip of the ball over the net, but the Lions prevailed and won the second set.
“We underestimated South,” said junior Lyla Berton. “They played really well, so we realized that we have to lock in for playoffs.”
The third set started off shaky with South taking a speedy lead. The Tigers’ frustration was visibly growing, but they harnessed that anger to find their groove. After several critical saves and more talking on the floor, the Tigers’ dedication came to fruition. The Lions were no match for Selivan’s clever strategies and deliberately placed setting.
According to O’Connell, “When we were in our second set time-out, we really came together, talked through our strategy, and made it happen on the court.”
The Tigers continued building off their motivation and carried it out through the end of the third set, the audience erupting into fervent cheers and supportive screams.
In the fourth set, the Tigers strutted back onto the court with confidence and determination after their breakthrough at the end of the third set. The Tigers’ fans in the audience exactly matched their student-athletes’ energy, screaming at the Lions as they served.
Building off their momentum, the Tigers made point after point to the dismay of South fans. South’s student section repeatedly shook pom-poms at North’s students, but fan support for the Tigers didn’t falter.
The Tigers prevailed 25-14 by the end of the fourth set, successfully securing their win and bringing honor to the seniors on their special night.
“I love all the seniors so much and I’ll miss everyone so much,” said O’Connell. “They popped out today.”
O’Connell added that senior Cindy Qiao’s serve-receive game was a key factor in the win.
Girls’ volleyball, 18-2, triumphed over Peabody Veterans Memorial at home Thursday, Oct. 30. in the first round of the MIAA state tournament. As the Tigers move forward in the tournament, they will “grow better to improve the things that need work,” said Fox.
