by Cienna Richardson

Sounder contributor

The Vikings’ volleyball regular season ended with two 3-0 victories against Crosspoint Academy and Concrete on Oct. 21 and 24. The season concluded overall with 13-3.

“I feel really good about how the season ended, we really came together as a whole,” said junior starter Alexandria Sanders.

“I inherited a program that had a strong foundation built by Rachel Wilson, and her coaching staff,” said coach Mallory Balcomb. “The varsity team already knew what it takes to be successful and what was expected of them. This season has been a whirlwind. We have been on the road a lot, had some awesome experiences and we’ve had to work through some highs and lows. I am so proud of the hard work and dedication these players are putting into their season, being at practice every day, improving their skills and being able to work together as a team. I’m looking forward to continuing that in the playoffs!”

The Vikings kicked off the playoff game against Lopez, taking the lead by three points. Fans watched breathlessly as the scoreboard favored each team in turn.

“We started out warming up, making little mistakes,” said sophomore Sofia Mahony-Jauregui.

After a close beginning, the Vikings won the first set 25-11. The playoff game concluded in three sets as the Vikings gained traction and got comfortable on the court. After winning a great first game the Vikings are off to The District Championships going head-to-head with Mount Vernon Christian.

“Then we’ll move into Tri-Districts. We’ll host a Tri-District playoff game on Tuesday, Oct. 31 and then play away on Nov. 2. We hope the community comes to support!” Balcomb said.

The Vikings’ volleyball team as a whole is quite skilled in teamwork and communication, all attributes essential for a winning team.

“As a coach, I strive for relationships of mutual respect. I try to be a stable, positive influence, and support the players both on and off the court. The team set big goals for themselves and I have done my best to teach them the volleyball skills they need and support them to achieve their goals. I also lean heavily on my assistant coaches — they are the best!” Balcomb said.