Written by Abbey Williams // Photo by Gabriel Huff
Women’s social club Zeta Rho A team won the women’s club volleyball championship against women’s social club Delta Gamma Rho (DGR) A team Jan. 19, and men’s social club TNT A team won the men’s championship against men’s social club Gamma Sigma Phi (GSP) A team Jan. 24.
Junior Nora Vaughn, a player on Zeta Rho A team, said this season was different from the others, as administration decided it would be best to split the season in two. She said this decision was made in an effort to work around the new track construction.
“I was abroad in the fall, so the split up of volleyball was nice because I actually got to play,” Vaughn said. “To me teamwork means that we are working together cohesively in a connected way to win a game. Our club shows that because we have that connection together, we communicate well, we laugh together, and that makes us work easily together. We bring our skills together to make a good team.”
Vaughn said the win was extra special for them since it was senior night.
“Winning was super awesome,” Vaughn said. “It was senior night for a few girls, and I’ve been playing with them since I was a freshman, so it was bittersweet. It felt so intense to have everyone in the stands watching the game. We were all hype.”
Sophomore Jake McCain, a player for GSP’s A team, said it is very important to work as a team in volleyball.
“Volleyball is a very important team sport,” McCain said. “You’re constantly setting other people and helping each other out. Without teamwork you’re not a good team.”
Sophomore Ellianna Holland, a player for DGR A team, said she enjoyed the community around volleyball and playing with her friends.
“I played last year, and I love playing with these girls,” Holland said. “I’m really competitive, so I love the adrenaline rush of playing and winning. I also enjoy the community and playing with my friends. My suitemate [and I] play front row, so it’s fun to play with her.”
Holland said Zeta Rho had not lost a set in four years until they played against DGR this volleyball season.
“Last year we won all the games except against Zeta Rho,” Holland said. “It was just incredible we got that far. I also think that we were so proud we won one set; they haven’t lost a set in four years. We didn’t care if we lost at that point because we beat them at least one set. That was our goal, and we were really proud of that. We practiced some, and that really helped us and got us to where we wanted to be.”
