Team huddle before the start of the game, led by varsity captains. Photo courtesy of Olivia Owles.
Sept. 19, 2024, at their home court, Varsity Girls Volleyball faced a close game against the Romeoville Spartans ending in a tough loss.
In their third conference game of the 2024 season, Varsity Volleyball lost after two sets, still managing a close game and a hard battle.
East was eager to score, earning a 4-0 lead early in the game. Throughout the rest of the set, both teams competed closely keeping a consistently even score. The set ended with a score of 22-25 and a loss for East.
After encouraging words from Varsity Coach Dina Beamon, wolves were back on the court for the second set of the game. The second set was a constant battle between the lead where the two teams were tied up more than 4 times during the game. After a strong fight, Spartans won the set 23-25 resulting in a game loss for East.
The girls have already played 2 games this week, tiring them out and causing a lack of time to prepare and practice for the game.
Setter Riley Trefny is returning back for her second season on varsity and believes there are certain reasons for the loss.
“We were really pushing in the last couple points, but we should have pushed in the very beginning. And I just feel like it’s been a long week, and it kind of showed on the court,” Trefny said.
Coach Beamon believes this loss was due to a mix of factors.
“Honestly, we were tired… We had a tournament yesterday, we played on Monday. It was a long week we were beat down,” Beamon said. “Not to make excuses, but I do think that their bodies are just tired, and we have sickness going on, so it was a rough week.”
However, even through the struggles of this week, there were some great moments. When asked who stood out this game, it was a clear decision from the coach.
“I will honestly say, Laila Mossey, the libero. She was picking up everything all over the place,” Beamon said.
Helping the team keep a close game, Mossey had a total of 13 digs. Mossey kept her teammates motivated throughout the game on and off the court. She explains how she feels towards the result of the game.
“We lost tonight because we didn’t play to our full potential. We are a great team and can hold ourselves accountable, but tonight we could have played a lot better,” Mossey said.
Overall after an intense week, there is many things the girls should take away. Coach Beamon expresses her takeaways from the game.
“Confidence, that is where we lack collectively, as a group,” Beamon said, “They doubt themselves and their abilities, and if they just believe in themselves like I believe, and their families, I think that it would improve.”
It is still early in the season for East girls volleyball and there are still many chances for the Wolves to come out on top as the season progresses, only getting stronger and better as they continue to play.
Written by Juniors Eve Cerny and Hannah Groh. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.