Senior night—a tribute to the seniors who define a team’s season—is one of the most celebrated moments of a sports season. A game entirely dedicated to those who, through their hard work and dedication, have left a lasting legacy on their program; by this definition, it is a must-win game. With these stakes at hand, the girls volleyball team emerged victorious in a two-set win versus the Lake Forest Scouts, marking their senior night a successful celebration for the nine individuals who have left their mark on Saint Viator volleyball.
“This [senior] group will leave a huge impact on our volleyball program,” said head coach Charlie Curtin. “They’ve brought excitement to the program and the younger players have looked up to them.”
The game started initially with a minor setback. The Scouts took 6-1 lead early, resulting in the Lions taking a timeout to re-plan. However, following a burst of excellent individual plays—multiple kills, a block, and an ace—the Lions secured a five point lead that they would grow on in the remaining time.
“We’ve been practicing repetition in preparation for these moments,” said Coach Curtin. “We cheer after good plays in practice to promote individual [excellence].”
After winning the first set 25-16, the Lions faced very little resistance; with the student section chanting “start the busses,” the Lions held a lead of 22-8 moments prior to winning the second set 25-10.
“It was awesome to see the huge crowd supporting us,” said Coach Curtin. “We had people from hockey, soccer, and football—that brought up our energy.”
The victory, heavily led by seniors, brought to focus the strength of the class of ‘25 on the court.
“This senior class has brought a lot of leadership and varsity experience to the team,” said senior blocker Sydney Mittel.
“We’ve been playing with each other for a long time,” said senior setter Paige Oberbroeckling. “We lift each other up, and that’s where we’ve been powerful.”
In the coming year, this senior class will be missed; their commitment to the team and has been a cornerstone of this season. However, the current moment is worth celebrating; a team united in a win commemorating the seniors and their impact on the legacy of Saint Viator volleyball.