Masuk Free Press

The Masuk High School Girls Volleyball Team has become one of the most dynamic and determined squads in the state. The girls, known for their chemistry and hard work continue to raise the bar with each match. Behind every serve and spike lies hours of hard work, strong leadership, and a shared goal to win it all.

The week of conference playoffs is always a huge week no matter what sport. High intensity, and high stakes. For Masuk, the deal is the same. This team holds themselves to high standards, and strives to be the best. “A lot of serves, passing, hitting, and all around high intensity playing. I wanted to make sure these girls were ready,” – Coach Ortiz. Another huge part of a team is the leadership. Captains bring a team together, and can make or break a season. Ortiz had this to say about her captains, “They are an integral part of the team. I feel like without them, the energy wouldn’t be the same. The leadership, the vision wouldn’t be the same. And what I look for in them is to continue to be leaders on the court and get everybody else on board with the vision that we started back in August.”

After defeating Weston in the Semi-finals 3 sets to 0, Masuk was ecstatic. Senior captain Abby Urkawich said “This year is different from others, we’re finally in the championship which is super exciting…and as a captain, I try my hardest to talk to everyone on the team and connect with everybody on a personal level, especially outside of volleyball. It’s important with such a close team to make sure everybody is on the same page.” The spirits are high going into the Championship, and the team is feeling great.

All-Colonial libero for the Panthers Mary-Kate Boyle said “I think this year we are a lot stronger because we’ve built a lot more chemistry and trust on and off the court and that reflects into how we play. Boyle also broke a Masuk record earlier this year with the most career digs with a whopping 379 total digs. For those who don’t know what that is, a dig is a form of a pass from receiving an attack from the opposing team. This stat won her an award after she was named all-colonial this past season.

Player of the game in the SWC semi-finals and captain Lily Yerrington said, “Whenever anybody makes a mistake, I make sure to let them know to just brush it off and keep on going, and same for me, I try and keep a clear mind and not put too much pressure on myself during the game.” Lilly also said that she tries to stay calm before games, and listening to music pre-game helps that. She also holds the Masuk title for blocks and is ranked number 6th in her class for hitting percentage.

The Masuk Girls Volleyball Team has shown this season that success isn’t just about winning games, it’s about teamwork, dedication, and believing in one another. Every player has contributed something special, whether it’s through leadership, hard work, or keeping the team’s energy high. Over the course of the season, they’ve built more than just skill on the court, they’ve built friendships and trust that make them stronger as a team. No matter how the season ends, the bond they’ve created and the effort they’ve put in will always define who they are.