They walk into the open gym. The other team is already warming up on the court. The team walks to the bench and starts to put their knee pads and shoes on. Their families are sitting in the stands holding up signs. They jump on the court and get ready for the serve. The girl jumps up and hits the ball. The crowd’s hearts stops beating for a moment when the ball brushes over the net.

Thursday Oct. 20, the women’s volleyball team is facing Columbus East for sectionals. It is their second time playing East, but they are going into the game strong and confident.

“I think we will play well against East,” senior Maliah Howard-Bass said. “We have been practicing hard and working on specific things that can benefit us during the game.”

As a sophomore, Agustina Fainguersch has many responsibilities.

“I make plays with serving, passing and hitting; I also need to be a vocal leader on the court and bring my teammates up to keep their mental toughness,” Fainguersch said.

There are five seniors on varsity this year, which means this is their last sectional game.

“I feel sad playing my last sectional game,” senior Mady Johnson said. “Hopefully we pull out a win but if we don’t, I’m going to miss my team.”