On September 22, the Highlands High School junior varsity (JV) and varsity volleyball teams went up against the Newport High School Wildcats. 

Newport started strong during the first match of the JV game. After battling a four-point lead, the JV team knew they had to switch gears. The team began cheering each other on from both the court and the sidelines. Junior Madison Opitz was used to this level of encouragement. 

“It helps with everybody getting in a better mood,” explained Opitz. “Even if it’s just one person, it’s like a chain reaction or the butterfly effect. Everybody will then carry each other, in turn.” 

With the help of strong assists from Opitz, the JV team was able to tie things up at a score of 9-9. From there, the team skyrocketed and won the first match of the night with a final score of 21-10.

The second match for the JV Volley Birds started with Highlands taking an early nine-point lead. Newport could hardly keep up, as the JV team’s momentum never seemed to fade. They won the second match of the night with a score of 25-11, and finished the game 2-0. 

At the start of the first varsity match, Highlands scored the first five points, giving themselves an early lead. However, Newport was able to tie things up 8-8. With the vital serves from junior Josephine Steppe, varsity was able to come back with a 14-point lead, bringing the score to 23-9. Newport tried to come back, but the match later ended in a Highlands victory with a final score of 25-14.

The second match began with the varsity team scoring the first five points again. Varsity continued to expand that lead. Newport later called a timeout once the score was 19-5, another 14-point lead in favor of Highlands. Highlands was able to keep Newport in the single-digits and quickly finished the match with a score of 25-8. 

Newport picked up some momentum at the start of the third match by scoring a three-point lead. The match was tight with the serve going back and forth between the teams. Varsity was able to tie it up at 10-10, and later took the lead. Once they got their ground back, varsity was able to dominate the second half of the match and won 25-14, maxing out their winning streak at 5-0. 

The HHS Volley Birds will face off against Walton Verona at home on Tuesday, September 24. Students can watch future home volleyball games live at https://www.youtube.com/user/HHSFilmAndBroadcast.