In an intense championship game against Marvin Ridge, the Cardinal Gibbons women’s volleyball team was able to bring home the first state championship in four years. 

After winning the first set but losing the second set, the team used the motivation from the student section to push through the last two sets and come home with a win. The student section was filled with family and friends who provided the team with the motivation and cheers they deserved and needed. 

Team captain Charlotte Bell, said “It was definitely the most people we’ve had at a game.”

Along with the support from the student section, another key component to the championship win was the team’s bond. Watching the Crusaders, it was obvious they were more than just teammates. The team spent time together eating lunch and having mental health talks. This allowed them to form stronger bonds and gave them something the other teams did not have. 

“The talent is there, as well as the personality,” Bell said. 

The game against Marvin Ridge was one of the hardest challenges the Gibbons team had to face. With the constant back-and-forth between the teams, the final score was 3-1. 

Aside from the state championship, team captain, Genevieve Harris, also won MVP of the match. This was a well-deserved title after ending the match with 56 successful assists. Fellow team capitan and libero Alina Ryan also won the sportsmanship award for the entire season.

The Crusaders ended the season 22-0, going completely undefeated. 

When asked how she felt after winning the state championship, Bell said, “It was just overwhelming happiness.”

The seniors were able to accomplish a goal they had been working for for four years, while the team as a whole was able to make history.