On Thursday, Oct. 9, from 4 to 6 pm, Horizon Honors’ volleyball team went up against Tonopah Valley. The air was tense, and bleachers were filled with an eager audience. Our girls, wearing the light blue and white of their uniform, prepared for the game with their coach, Liv Pratt. With eager movements and eyes shining with an admirable determinedness, freshman Erica Kendree said, “I think we’re prepared for them, and it should be a really fun game.”

JV finishes warming up, and their game begins. After reaching 14-4, Amy Kendree, ninth grader, spikes the ball, the volleyball brushing against the net and touching the ground on the other side. The round finishes with 25-7, a win for Horizon Honors. The crowd cheers, the game starting off swimmingly for Horizon Honors.

Our other set of girls replaces them, and they keep a steady pace behind their score with 10-14. A few well-timed spikes and a tip into the opponent’s court and we tie at 15-15. JV pulls through, and we end the set with 25-18. A cheer rings out from the crowd, and the girls give a shout and leave the court.

Finally, it’s time for the varsity team to take to the court. The buzzer sounds, and the game begins. A mix of girls shouting “mine,” shouts from the audience, and panting breaths resounds in the large gym, the air laced with adrenaline. The set is finally over, and ends with a score of 25-15.

Another group takes over, ready to go. They spread out on the court, encouraged by the audience. The buzzer sounds, and although we lose our original speed, we pick up the pace and get ahead. The audience cheers their approval, and Horizon Honors ends the match with another win, 25-17. Now there’s one more round left, and one more chance for Horizon Honors to wow the audience.

At last, the third group of girls enter the court.. Excitement fills the air, the audience waits expectantly as the ball goes from side to side, and athletes run to and fro to keep the ball aloft. Horizon Honors reaches 24 points, and the audience stands, putting one finger up to show one more point. In under a minute, we score the winning point. Horizon Honors has won again, and we are sure to be back with another victory.