The Westside Warriors Girl’s Volleyball team, currently ranked No. 5, is off to a strong start to this year’s season. With a combination of skill, determination, and endurance, the Warriors have demonstrated that they are prepared to battle to Lincoln.
Last Thursday the Warriors faced off against the Millard West Wildcats on their own court, an early-season test as they hosted the Wildcats. The match ended in a box score of 3-2 with the Warriors coming out on top.
The match began with a dominant performance from Westside. They took the first set at an impressive pace, ending in 25-9. The Wildcats, however, were quick to respond. Millard West battled back against the Warriors, taking the next two sets, 25-21 and 25-19.
In the end, however, it was the Warriors who were able to maintain their energy and control the game. The fourth set proved to be the turning point for the Warriors who out paced Millard West, starting and ending the set with a lead, and officially ending the set 25-12.
The fifth set, first-to-15, ended up being first-to-17. Millard West started off the set with a three point lead before the Warriors tied it off 5-5. The teams battled out the set until exciting kills from Makenzie Wingett ended the match 17-15.
Captain Makenzie Wingett, a six foot senior who plays middle blocker, right side hitter and wears the number six, was the standout performer of the night. She started the match with the fiery energy that is the mark of a Warrior. Wingett had a block on the first point, followed by another block and three aces, finishing the match with a team-high of fourteen kills.
Wingett, who was all smiles after the match, spoke candidly about her love for volleyball and the dedication required to succeed at a high level.
“It’s hard but it’s like the best feeling ever. It’s the games that take away your worries [that] remind you of why you started this sport in the first place and why you still continue to love it,” Wingett said.
Reflecting on the challenges of the game, Wingett emphasized the value of perseverance and the satisfaction that comes from hard work paying off. Wingett remarks that while the sport is difficult, there is reward in all the work that you put into it.
“You can […] doubt however much you want because it’s hard, it’s grueling, but it’s these moments that really make it just worth everything you put into it and it is the best feeling in the world,” Wingett said.
Volleyball is a sport of endurance. It demands high-intensity effort during the entire match, which could last anywhere from forty-five minutes to two hours. Players have to maintain focus and energy throughout the match. They, while remaining physically strong, must also hold their mentality. Every rally matters. Volleyball is a sport that demands energy. The team that can hold their energy is going to be the team that takes the win in the end.
The Warriors have been training to be able to maintain this kind of energy throughout an entire match. Thursday was a chance to showcase this kind of play, which ended up being an impressive performance from the Warriors.
Head Coach Andrew Wehrli touches on the importance of these traits and how his team utilizes them during a match.
“[It] was about winning the energy battle, and I think that’s more of an endurance thing, you gotta be consistent all the time,” Wehrli said.
He discusses the timing of the girls’ energy battle, praising their timing, and how they adapt to the match as it progresses, particularly in the later sets of the match.
“I think we started to figure it out a little bit more as we got into set four and set five, I was just really proud of their effort,” Wehrli said.
The Warrior’s victory over Millard West proved more than just another win. It showcased the energy, adaptability, and team chemistry that have fueled their promising start to the season. Even when momentum swung in favor of the Wildcats after the second and third sets, the Warriors never dropped their energy. They regrouped and pulled out a win. The energy of the team and endurance is something that Coach Wehrli emphasizes, and was on full display Thursday night.
The early-season success is encouraging, but the Warriors know that they can’t drop their intensity. However, if Thursday night was any indication, the Warriors are more than capable of meeting expectations in order to win big.
This match represents another test for the team as they continue to keep their eyes set on Lincoln. The Westside Warriors’ Volleyball team has demonstrated that they are a force to be reckoned with in the early stages of the season. The victory over Millard West highlighted their power and abilities, as well as their unwavering energy and endurance.
Captain Wingett’s standout performance exemplifies the skill that drives the team, while Coach Wehrli’s guidance emphasizes the importance of consistency and mental toughness. As the Warriors continue to build momentum, their eyes remain firmly on the challenges ahead. The Warriors are prepared to pursue a successful season.
The Warriors continue to add wins underneath their belts. Since Thursday’s game the Warriors have won matches against Millard West, for a second time (2-1), Duchesne (2-0), Skutt Catholic (2-1), and Bellevue West (3-0). The Warriors continue the battle to get to Lincoln, next, at an away match on Sept. 4, against Omaha North at 7pm.
Looking forward, next week, the Warriors will play away at Papillion-LaVista on Tuesday, Sept. 9, time TBA. Look out for that announcement and support the Warriors both away and at home. It is going to be a very exciting season.
