![Before their second set in their game against the Vandergrift Vipers on Tuesday, Aug. 27, the freshman volleyball team huddle to discuss a new strategy to try and pull ahead of the Vipers. “It’s fun to play [against] schools who are known for being good because it helps us get better as a team,” Kareem said. Despite their consecutively impressive rallies, the team ultimately lost 16-25.](https://westwoodhorizon.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_9619-e1725220020710-1200x822.jpg)
After a period of tryouts, the Freshman Volleyball team came together at home to participate in their first game of the season against the Vandegrift Vipers on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Despite their admirable effort and growing skill, the game finished in an unfortunate loss after a competitive two-set match.
“I think we all played really well,” Audrey Winders ‘28 said. “Vandegrift is a really good team, so we tried our best, but weren’t able to pull out the win.”
The first set began with a powerful rally that exhibited Westwood’s ability to stay neck-to-neck. However, a net play by the Warriors earned the Vipers the first point of the game, firing up the Warriors as they began a streak of formidable attacks. But soon, despite Westwood’s efforts the Vipers had gained a substantial lead that became difficult to overcome. Fortunately, as the Warriors’ communication improved, cheers from the crowd turned to roars as a kill by Lila Nicosia ‘28 began to close the gap between the two teams.
“As a team, we just need to work on communication a bit,” Nicosia said. “But I think we’re all really good friends, which makes playing really fun.”
Despite their impressive comeback highlighted by a well-executed short serve, an attack error on the Warrior’s side took away their building streak. This, soon followed by a missed dig in an intense final rally, the Vipers ended the first set with a score of 14 – 25.
“Everyone is very excited and very competitive [this game],” Nadia Kareem ‘28 said. “We’re preparing ourselves [with these games] because if we want to make District Finals we’re gonna have to put a lot of work in.”
After a quick team huddle, Westwood and Vandegrift plunged back into an aggressive second set that started off with an exceptional strike from the Warriors. The Warriors, now ahead, and both teams were familiarized with the court, soon the competition led to a war of speed and successful synergy. But, despite the Warriors’ improvements, the Vipers were untouchable as they rallied their way into an eight-point lead. Due to a discouraging penalty from the Warriors, they could not surpass the Vipers and eventually lost their second set 16 – 25.
“Though it was a loss, we played better due to our scrimmages and practice games,” Kareem said. “Losing was a lesson, and now that we’ve learned that lesson, I’m so excited [to continue playing].”
The Warriors will play their next home game on Tuesday, Sep. 4, at 6:30 PM against the Hutto Hippos.
![fiercely swinging, Harper Zoll '25 catches air as she jumped off the ground to get a better angle to hit. Zoll works outside of practice to prepare for aiming her hits during games. "We watch film to watch and learn [the other teams] tendency's, where they like to stand, and who likes to play where so I can prepare for next days game," Zoll said.](https://westwoodhorizon.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-09-24_VarsityvballvsStoney_IsabelleHoronzy-26-1200x674.jpg)
