The Tigers, under head coach Ross Fields, ended the season as DAC-VII conference champions and were ranked the seventh best team in the state. The team finished the season with a final record of 27-2.
The team’s only loss during the regular season came against East Chapel Hill High on October 15. However, the Tigers quickly rebounded, defeating East 3-0 in a rematch just two days later.
“After losing to East, it was a really big wake-up call for us,” junior middle hitter Haara Umenwaliri said. “In the rematch, we focused on being aggressive and not letting anything touch the floor. Once we got the ball up, we could overpower them with our front line.”
Junior Paige Thomas, who finished the season with the second-highest hitting percentage on the team at 21%, agreed. “Our mindset was to be aggressive and on the attack,” Thomas said. “We knew we could beat them, so we used the loss as a learning experience and as motivation to fight harder.”
The team was led by seniors Kira DeVrieze, Isis Chien, Ava Grace Knott and Stella Smith. DeVrieze and Knott will continue their volleyball careers at Division I colleges next year—Delaware State University and University of California, Davis, respectively.
One of the season’s standout moments came early on August 24, when the Tigers defeated Green Level High School, a top-ranked team, in a five-set away game. “Winning that match by two points was a huge accomplishment,” Chien said. “It showed the grit our team has and set the tone for the rest of the season.”
DeVrieze highlighted how the team’s culture and motto, “Ubuntu,” played a significant role in their success. “‘Ubuntu’ reminds us that ‘I am because of who we all are,’” she said. “This mutual respect allowed us to push each other to improve and created a supportive team environment.”
Knott noted the team overcame off-court challenges as well. “We had to deal with injuries and illnesses all season and didn’t have a single practice where everyone was fully healthy,” Knott said. “Despite that, we adjusted and worked through every situation.”
Looking ahead, Thomas expressed excitement about continuing the team’s traditions. “I’m most looking forward to carrying on the unity and fun we had this year,” she said. “It’s important to make everyone feel welcome and supported, which is a big reason for our success.”
As they prepare for their collegiate careers, DeVrieze and Knott reflected on their experiences. “I’m excited to compete at the next level and grow as an athlete and person,” said DeVrieze, who specialized in defense.
Knott, a defensive specialist and pin hitter, committed to play beach volleyball for said UC-Davis next year. “I hope to find the same team atmosphere in college that we had this year—a team that loves each other and works together is a team that is strong,” she said.
The Tigers will look to build on this season’s successes as they prepare for the next season.
