On Monday, October 26th, the varsity girls’ volleyball team faced off against Chelmsford in their final game of the season. They took Chelmsford all the way into the fifth set with the scores neck and neck throughout the entire game, but eventually lost 3 to 2.

Having won the past two games, the girls looked back on the season positively. “We’ve been [doing] really well,” senior co-captain Catherine Grondine said. “We’ve grown a lot skill wise, communication among the girls is [really strong], and our overall level of play has improved.

Coach Eang agreed entirely, essentially reiterating all Grondine reported. “We improved,” he added, “[but] everyone else in the league improved too.”

He also added that Chelmsford’s team is ranked 8th in the state; WA at 96th. The competition was tough, but the girls would play their hardest.

The teams warmed up with their typical routines before the game. However, before the games started, Westford Academy’s girls had some announcements. On the occasion of senior night, they decided to celebrate the senior players of both Westford and Chelmsford, as well as all the coaches from both teams. All players and coaches received rose bouquets.

Chelmsford secured the first four points in a row, until WA broke the streak and leveled out the score with amazing saves by junior Samantha Walter. The first set was won by Chelmsford 22 to 25. However, WA took the next two sets with continuous saves by senior Hannah Chateunuef and Walter, with amazing spikes by junior Katie Cooper.

Chelmsford won the fourth set, and WA took the 8th ranked team into the fifth set. The plays were intense and saves unbelievable, but Chelmsford took the game with a score of 15 to 17.

After the game had finished, WA’s girls met off the court with Coach Eang for a wonderfully emotional meet.

Eang gave them many meaningful assurances, telling them, “To me, you guys are winners. To me, you guys are number one.” He made sure they were well aware that they will always be in his heart, that they played like champions, and the profound statement, “I will always remember you guys. [… So] heads up.”

After Eang left, the girls were incredibly strong.

“That was literally the best game,” one of the players reminded the others firmly. “That was the best game. We won two sets. Two sets. That’s awesome! Be sad, but that was our best game. We could come together like that; it was amazing.”

Another player concurred; ‘We had positive attitudes on and off [the court], we came back so well.”

They talked together about how they had grown and learned from one another, as well as how close they’d become and as a team, improved everything about their skills.

Outside, Eang agreed again. “We went really far. Five games, two sets in a row. We had so much energy, [and] played with purpose. They’re number one to me,” he said warmly. “They play like that, I mean . . . that’s number one right there.”