Coming off of a loss at the home game against the Dominion Titans on Sept. 13, the Phoenix gym was filled with supporters as the varsity team prepared to take on the Panthers on Sept 15. The student section was packed with junior varsity and freshman players as well as friends, yelling and cheering on their fellow teammates.

Junior Isha Uppalli is the team libero. She has played volleyball for the school since her freshman year. Uppalli is very supportive of her teammates and is constantly improving. “Since freshman year, overall my serve-receive has improved,” Uppalli said. “This season I [with the team] hope to win states.”

The game was fast paced and kept the crowd on their toes with long points and high spikes. The players on the bench added their own funny chants by doing little acting bits. The excitement around the court elevated when the players themselves got excited. Everyone shared the emotion and passion for the sport, spectators and all.

Although the Panthers put up a tough fight, the Phoenix won all three sets in quick time: the first set 25-6, the second set 25-12, and the third set 25-18, marking the Phoenix’s win.

Gallery • 9 Photos

Sarah Baig

From left to right: junior Anya Meredith, sophomore Michelle Kim, junior Sidney Powell, junior Kenna Sutherland, and senior Karis Adnan show their support for a dynamic play by doing one of their special cheers; a teammate pretending to roll a bowling ball while the others throw themselves down as if they were pins, getting a strike. “We had the energy,” Sutherland said.