As reported in the December print issue, the varsity volleyball team had a 25-3 record and had an extremely successful season. After winning Liberty Districts against Langley High School, winning three of the five sets, the team went on to win the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Regionals against South Lakes High School, winning three of the four sets. Despite losing in the semi-finals for the state tournament on November 16 at home, the team had a great season overall. 

The Liberty Districts against Langley was a particularly big game for the team. The girls only lost two games during their regular season, both to Langley. However, they made a comeback with their Districts win. 

“Beating Langley for [the] district championship was my favorite part of the season because we had lost to them twice previously and it really showed how if we set a goal and worked for it, we could achieve it,” senior and co-captain Ella Taylor said. 

After winning Districts, the girls made history with their Regionals win as no varsity volleyball team in the school’s history has ever won the Regional finals and moved onto VHSL States. 

“I knew these girls were a special group and they proved that by working hard and advancing as far as they did,” head coach Ms. Aubrey Mosely said. “Making history was just icing on the cake.  We will always be able to say we put the first Regional Championship on the banner for Washington-Liberty.” 

The team partially credits their wins to their team chemistry. 

“My favorite part of the team is how well we all clicked and got along on and off the court,” senior Kate Sheire said. “We formed real friendships, which is one of the reasons we were so successful, and those will last. Everybody is so supportive, encouraging but also competitive in the same aspect.” 

The student section was often completely filled for home games. Generals Brigade led cheers to engage the fans and encourage the team. 

“Having the Generals Brigade at our last few games was so fun,” senior Sophie Beach said. “Seeing so many of our friends and classmates cheering us on always gave us a boost of energy and saying hi and taking pictures after the games was one of the best parts of the season.” 

The seniors this year have made a particularly strong impact on the team. Coaching Assistant Ms. Kyle Petty praised the seniors not only for this season, but for all four years they participated on the team.

“[The team has] had amazing role models with this senior class,” Ms. Petty said.  “These young women are so much more than just elite athletes; they have the whole picture. Volleyball is such a collective team sport, one person cannot win a match for you, the seniors this year always understood that. They make me laugh and are such outstanding people to be around.  They are organized and so caring towards one another. [They] truly made our team feel like an extended family. 

Although the team did not go as far as they had hoped, they were grateful for their strong season and dedicated teammates.

“We were obviously very distraught with the results of our last game this year,” Sheire said. “I wish I had told myself before that game to enjoy playing for the last time with those people, and to go full into it as a team and finish as a team, because it would be the last time I would be able to do it.”