“BUMP. SET. YEET!” The crowd roars. The spike hurdles to the other side of the court. It lands inbounds, untouched by the other team. A perfect kill.

The gym is full, the bleachers packed with black. The Panthers are playing Ottawa for the first time this season. Everyone in the student section is on their feet, yelling like absolute hooligans. But the panthers wouldn’t have it any way. With some of them holding up posters others wearing faded old volleyball hats and everyone screaming.

“All aboard the ace train! WHOOP WHOOP!” The Rat Pack screams.

“LET’S GO GUYS GET HYPED!” Amanda Meeks, sophomore, yells. The crowd roars in response. Dig after dig, spike after spike, serve after serve, volley after volley. Anxiety fills the air as the points reach closer to the end of the game.

The Panthers put the ball away scoring the final point. A sweet, but hard earned victory 3-0 sending the Whirlwinds packing. As the girls gather together for one final huddle the smell of victory –or possibly the wretched smell of the sweaty kneepads– fills the gym. And one final loud “PANTHERS” echo’s around the room.