UPDATE: On Saturday, Nov. 16, La Plata’s volleyball team played an intense State 3A Championship game against Demascus High School, losing 3-0.
Imagine walking onto the volleyball court for what could have been your last regular game of high school volleyball. Imagine the crowd: blue and white everything, signs held up with players’ names and numbers, and of course the shouting from fans. Senior Maggie Lavery felt this “incredible sensation when volleyball had the last game of their regular season.” The volleyball team won four quick games and is now proceeding to regionals for the third year in a row.
Maggie has been playing volleyball for seven years now and is the captain and outside hitter of La Plata’s varsity girls volleyball team. “I couldn’t be more proud,” Catherine Lavery said, the team’s head coach. Volleyball has always had a successful record, and when other schools throw losses in the La Plata community’s face, La Plata bounces back with volleyball as their defense. Maggie claimed that the reason for the team’s success is their hard work and dedication; it also helps that all of the teammates are very close. With a majority of players on the team seniors, this is their big chance and their last chance.
While some are going on to play volleyball in college, some might be playing their last high school games so it’s time to make it count. La Plata’s volleyball team is now SMAC champions and went undefeated throughout their whole season; if they can keep it up then it’s likely they will also be regional champs and hopefully state champs. They go on to start the regional championships on Nov. 4 against Lackey. Depending on the outcome of the games from Monday and Wednesday, La Plata could be playing another undefeated team, J.M. Bennett. “I know this will be a challenge because they’re the only other team with a record like ours, but that is where our motto comes into play,” outside hitter and senior Faith Laidley said.
The team’s motto is “respect all, fear none.” “It means they go into their games confident but not cocky. They respect all of their fellow opponents but they will never be scared of another team because they know they can conquer any challenge that comes their way,” Lavery said.
Girls volleyball should be respected because of their attitude and integrity towards the game. Despite what is going on between any of the players or coaches, they put it behind them when they step onto the court. La Plata volleyball has always put their heart and soul into the sport they love and those girls show their dedication through their 15-0 record in the regular season. Winning requires more than just talent. The girls of La Plata volleyball are powerful, dedicated, and most importantly, they’re not only team mates, but friends.
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