Volleyball goes to playoffs for the first time in six years

Monday Story

For the first time in six years, the volleyball team at St. Martin’s Episcopal School made it to the third round of the playoffs.

Ranked No. 6 in Division V, the team received a bye in the first round of the playoffs. To earn a spot in the quarterfinals, the volleyball team played the No. 11-ranked team in Division V, Ascension Catholic High School. St. Martin’s soundly defeated Ascension Catholic, winning three out of three sets.

On Thursday, Nov. 9, accompanied by many fans from the student body, the volleyball team headed to the Pontchartrain Center. In the quarterfinals, the team competed against Ascension Episcopal School. Despite losing all three sets, the volleyball team kept their heads held high and are hopeful that they can qualify for the playoffs in the years to come and possibly even win a championship.

“It was a highlight of my high school experience,” said Junior Ellie Hurley. “It's cool to be the first team in six years to make it this far, and it just showed how much of a team we are. We are losing four seniors this year, but we have a strong group of younger players coming up, and I’m confident in their ability to push us to the top.”

Freshman Prudence Dudley agrees with Hurley’s hopes for a strong future for St. Martin’s volleyball.

“It makes our team more motivated to get further in the playoffs in the years to come,” Dudley said.

Despite setbacks during the season, Hurley believes teamwork was the cause for the success the team had this year. Dudley shares her sentiments.

“It made me realize how closely bonded our whole team is, and that nothing can get between us,” Dudley said. “Even though we had many bumps in the road, it just pulled us closer.”