On Tuesday, October 1st, Westside varsity volleyball played an away match against Omaha South. Westside took the first set with a score of 25-6, the second set was claimed by Westside, 25-15, and the final set, 25-8. Head coach Korrine Bowers said her expectations were met since Westside’s last game against Bryan.

“Our game plan going in was giving the middle the ball [and] working on our slide attack. I felt like that was a priority and we got that done. We still have a lot of work to do in that area,” Bowers said. “These types of games you really want to focus on mentally, being strong.”

Overall, Bowers said she feels good things are to come for her team, and she is proud of them.

“I feel like some of our girls did a really good job with that, some already know they need to improve on [things]. This is the type of game that’s gonna be a mental [one]. I was proud of the girls, [coming] out, doing a good job. It was a team effort, [and] everybody got onto the court tonight,” Bowers said.

Westside varsity volleyball will be at home Thursday, October 3rd. Along with the match, varsity and lower level volleyball will host Teacher Appreciation Night.

“Thursday at home it’s Teacher Appreciation Night. When Christa, our assistant coach, puts it on, all the girls are able to honor their favorite teacher and [express] why they like them so much,” Bowers said. “The lower levels will give them a gift and a note to say thank you for whatever [they’ve] done for [them] as a mentor or teacher. Then, at the varsity match we will call each one down and honor each.”

Krista Filipi, assistant head coach of varsity volleyball, explained why Westside volleyball adapted this tradition unlike the rest of Westside athletics.

“We saw it once at Omaha Central’s volleyball game, years ago. The [head] coach at the time was like ‘I love that’ and I was like ‘I love that’. So, I started it four years ago and I’ve done it each year since,” Filipi said.

Filipi explained the reasoning for hosting a night dedicated to teachers.

“We love senior night and we love that the girls get a night with their parents, but we also wanted to incorporate teachers. Because we know they’re a big impact on these girls everyday, some of these girls are inviting teachers that they had in third and fourth grade that they’re still in contact with,” Filipi said.

According to Filipi, some teachers are not even in Westside High School or the district itself.

“It’s probably 50/50 this year on teachers that are even in the high school. There’s a lot in the district and some not in our district. For instance, McKenna Nemecek invites one of her Millard teachers every year and has for four solid years and she’s always like ‘My favorite day of the year’,” Filipi said.

On Thursday, October 3rd, Westside varsity volleyball will face off against Lincoln North Star at 6:30pm.