Senior Night is always a night to remember, but for the volleyball team, this season it meant more than that. With five out of the six starters being seniors, they wanted to finish the season by leaving a legacy. Carrying the pride of winning districts three years in a row, the class of 2026 doesn’t plan on slowing down.
The yearly senior night traditions meant that the gym was going to be packed with parents, family members and a full student section to cheer on the Lady Titans. It is decorated with posters, balloons, flowers and tables filled with the players’ greatest accomplishments. For seniors Addison Burns and Larissa Gibson, this game was a bittersweet celebration of being in the program and sharing this experience with the people that have supported them along the way. “I didn’t think it would hit me so hard until I walked out with my mom and gave coach Tello a hug,” Addison admitted. “Being a new transfer student, I didn’t know what to expect but coach Tello made such a big impact on my volleyball career in the few months he’s been coaching me”. Coach Tello has been mentoring the Girls Volleyball program for over five years and has brought home various district titles, Metro Championships and repeated regional appearances.
The game itself was thrilling. Playing against the longtime rivals, Dr. Phillips High School, the tensions were at an all time high. Every rally felt more important and the student section was roaring with emotions after every point scored. With endless chants and high pressure points, the Titans ended up on top, sweeping the Dr. Phillips Panthers in straight sets for the third year in a row.
When questioning senior middle blocker, Larissa Gibson, she admitted that the emotions of the night felt surreal. “I’ve made so many memories in this program over the past four years, including bus rides, practices and film sessions. It’s crazy to think my high school career is almost over.” Both Burns and Gibson said that one the best parts of the night was seeing their families on the court during the pregame ceremony. Gibson says “My parents have been to most, if not all, of my games since freshman year! I wouldn’t be where I am without their endless support”. The presence of the people you love can build motivation to play at the highest ability possible.
Even after the last point was scored and the whistle was blown, none of the seniors wanted the night to end, stretching the moment until it would be their last time to put on teal and black. Instead, they savored the moment by taking pictures with family members who came to show their support and teammates who have looked up to them as upperclassman role models, soaking in every last second of playing in the Mount Olympus gymnasium. Senior night wasn’t just about celebrating the last games of their high school volleyball careers but was also about honoring the memories, the friendships, the ups and downs and the love for the game that they will carry with them through life, long after they take their kneepads off one last time.
