To say the energy at Wapahani was electric tonight would be an understatement. The Raiders hosted Delaware County rival Muncie Burris tonight at Raider Gymnasium and beat the Owls in five sets.
From the first serve, it was obvious there would be some fireworks. Both crowds and benches showed up for their respective teams and Wapahani head coach Valorie Wells and her team used the crowd as fuel.
“I mean, I constantly talk to the bench, no matter if they're in or out to be the voice because they can carry us a long way,” she said. “They've helped us in tremendous games. Last night, Eastern Hancock, they were super loud. And then tonight, they were super loud, and I'm super proud of them.”
Part of this excitement comes from the crosstown rivalry that accompanies most county matches. Players intertwine during the club season and a lot of them grow up together. That goes for seniors Sophia Beeson of Wapahani and Lilly Howell of Burris. Both standout players for their respective schools, Beeson praised Howell’s effort tonight and how difficult it is to contain her.
“She definitely puts the ball down,” Beeson said. “I've known her for a really long time playing with and against each other, so I give 100% kudos to her for that.”
The first set went in favor of the Owls with a convincing 25-14 score. Wapahani was able to bounce back from the first set and take the second relying on their defense and their ability to defend the Howell attack.
“I think the part that I was most impressed with listening was every time out or every time we talked, I kept telling our middles, find Lilly Howell and get at least a touch,” Wells said. “And they did that very well towards the end, and it helped us be able to set up our defense and be able to be in the right spots. So our blockers did a great job towards the end figuring that out.”
Beeson praised her teammate's ability to communicate and how that has helped them to improve their defensive positioning this season.
It's definitely a communication thing,” she said. “I think we know what our spot is on the court and what balls we can and can't take. So I think we hold each other accountable for that.”
The third set was all Wapahani, partly due to the atmosphere created tonight. Also in part to the will to win from the Raiders.
“They were definitely on our list of people high up there to beat,” Beeson said. “We were all so ecstatic. Since they won state last year, we wanted to beat them so badly. This game has been circled for a while now and it’s just amazing that we did it.”
Burris gave Wapahani a scare in the 4th set, forcing a winner-take-all fifth. The Raiders prevailed and after the final point was scored, Wapahani coaches embraced in joy. Coach Wells was overwhelmed with happiness for her players and the hard work they have put into this point.
“I just think all the hard work we've put in, and the girls just really wanted to play together,” she said. “I just kept saying, play our game and stay together as a team. Even in the locker room, after the game, all the girls were like, we played so well together. We did a group hug, and it just felt like family.”
Getting a win in a match as important as this one means more than just another tally in the win column. Iron sharpens iron and Coach Wells thinks her team, and Burris came out better in the end.
“I mean, I keep telling them to just believe and believe in us and believe in our work,” she said. “I like that type of game because, you know, it helps us, helps Burris try and get better too. So it's just an exciting game, an exciting time. I'm glad that they pushed us and we pushed them, and, you know, overall, it just helped us find our grit and our passion that we've been working towards.”
The Raiders still are not satisfied. Coach Wells says the team will stay that way until they finish the season where they know they should be, raising a trophy at Worthen Arena.
“So hopefully, I think next week, we keep building off this and what we need to work on,” she said. “We end up just keep pushing through the next, you know, couple weeks and just don't be satisfied. It's on the back of my shirt, so we're happy for this, but let's not be satisfied till we get what we're satisfied with.”
Wapahani returns to the floor on September 17th at home against conference foe Shenandoah at 7 p.m. Burris will return on the 16th when they host Lapel at 7 p.m. in the historic Ball Gymnasium.
Contact Logan Connor via email at logan.connor@bsu.edu or via X @_loganconnor
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