The 2023 volleyball season is officially over, after an amazing journey to the state tournament. Our Blue Gator volleyball team made it to the semi-finals on November 10th. On Thursday, November 9th, we competed against Ascension Catholic. As we all drove to school to get on the bus and head to the Cajundome, the sky was purple. We immediately knew it was a sign and that Coach Celie was watching us and rooting for us from Heaven. We headed into our assigned locker room and got ready for the quarterfinal match. We put our purple ribbons in our hair and said a prayer knowing we wanted to play for not only ourselves and our team, but for Coach Celie.  We went into the game strong knowing we could win after beating them during the regular season in 2 sets at a tournament. We fought and competed with the support of our amazing fans cheering us on every point. We were up the first 2 sets until we made it to the third set. We started to get complacent and let the Bulldogs catch up to us. While the stakes were high and although nobody said it, we started to get nervous. We ended up going to a fifth set tie breaker. Thankfully, we got our act together and remembered why we were doing this and who we were doing it for. I think it’s safe to say we let everything out on that court. We ended up winning the final set 15-10 after Gabby Piasecki (our libero) served an amazing ball which was then shanked on the other side. The emotions were all over the place. With us rushing into the middle of the court knowing we would play another day of the sport we have dedicated the last 4+ years to. We also knew we still needed to fight the next day. 

While we were not as confident going into Friday due to the fact that we lost to Westminster Christian Academy in the regular season, we knew it would be a good fight and that we had to play. I remember looking at Coach Beau before the game started and saying, “we are going to win this.” Coach Celie’s favorite number was “10.” We started seeing signs and knew she was there with us. Our play time was at 10, as well as our student section which was in section 110. While the nerves were heightened and emotions all over the place, we started the first set. We started off very rough, being down 2 sets, even though the scores were neck and neck the whole time. We then fought during the third set and won. We were prepared to go to five sets with this team, and we all wanted to so badly. I think we were more excited about winning that first set then we were winning the quarterfinal match the day before. Our student section behind us was still cheering us on for every point, and the parents and every faculty member were doing the same. Although we fought our hardest, the game ended in 4 sets. Westminster won 3-1. It was heartbreaking and so many tears were shed from everyone. The Seniors walked out of the Cajundome knowing that this was our last game, and the underclassmen walked out, seeing the people they have become so close to play their last game. Although we fought and we wanted it for Coach Celie, we knew she was so proud of us. While it’s still a very bittersweet subject, we made it farther this season than I think any of us every thought we would. We are forever grateful for Coach Laurie, Coach Katie, and Coach Beau for stepping up and leading us as far as they did. We all grew closer, as not only a team, but as friends outside of volleyball. There is nothing more I could have asked for this season, and I am grateful I got to end my season with the people I grew to love and all the people who supported us.