The varsity girls volleyball team gave a scintillating performance for their final regular season match on the evening of Monday, Oct. 17 at home, where they matched up against the Washington Blue Jays. After their continually exceptional accomplishments throughout this season, the result of Monday’s game did not come as a surprise.

Washington had traveled to the Eagles’ nest carrying just a 45% winning percentage, whereas Liberty had waited for their opponents with the confidence of a 26-1 record to their name. The red, white and blues went into the game as far and away the best squad in their district (which includes the likes of Timberland, Francis Howell and St. Dominic). Meanwhile, the Blue Jays entered the contest as the second-worst group of their district regarding their record. What could have been seen at the start of the season as a potentially evenly-balanced battle of the birds was instead a lopsided competition of predator versus prey.

The first set was won with relative ease by the Eagles, ending with a score of 25-14. The second set saw a little more of a fight put up by Washington. However, this did not deter Liberty’s fantastic form, and the Eagles once again won the set 25-14. The third set proved to be the most well-matched round of the encounter, with the Blue Jays surprisingly attaining the feat of taking the lead more than once. Despite their ambitions, the Eagles still managed to put down the unrest and ultimately conquer, prevailing with a score of 25-21. This gave Liberty their 27th victory of the season out of 28 games played, solidifying their unforgettable run and magisterial presence. This is the best record that the varsity girls volleyball team has achieved in their history. The Eagles also consequently earned the title of Central Division Conference Champions.

Counting Monday’s triumph over them, Liberty has a current streak of four wins against Washington, with the first victory being in September 2021.

“The girls have worked really hard for this last bit and pushed to the end to prepare for districts,” head coach Veronica Kirkpatrick stated. “We want to play the best we can and simply do the best we can at districts.”

Families and friends gathered on the court to celebrate the win and the season as well as the senior players reigning supreme in the last league match of their high school career. There were many hugs, words of encouragement, smiles and even tears of joy from the athletes, coaches and parents.

Senior player and libero Hailey Buckley has completed the most serve receives out of everyone in the squad with 237. 

“It was very exciting but also a little sad because it was our last home game, but I’m glad I got to spend it with my whole team,” Buckley remarked on winning the last league game of her high school career. Looking toward the district tournament, Buckley stated, “Besides winning as much as we can, I would say the biggest thing would be having good communication and good energy for the court. You can win and just act like it was no big deal, but it’s better to enjoy it and have fun.”