Watervliet High School

The night began with long rallies in the first set, immediately establishing a tone that defined the Panthers' performance through the final whistle. The Panthers displayed a resilience that never wavered. The match scores were 14-25, 12-25, 25-23, and 17-25. Although the Vikings ultimately claimed the victory, taking the match 3 sets to 1, the Panthers demonstrated incredible tenacity in the third set. The Panthers dug deep and won the third set 25-23. This win was a testament to their fighting spirit, proving they were willing to battle for every single point. The Panthers’ success came from a balanced attack and defensive effort. On defense, Addison Smith and Ava Hobson anchored the back row and extended rallies with their hustle. The defense was complemented by a strong presence at the net, where Isabella Bultema, Ava Thomas, Aubrey Winnell, and Adelyn Campbell put up crucial blocks to slow down the Vikings' offensive attacks. Offensively, Braelyn Campbell and Ava Hobson led the team in kills. Kelsie Gaston and Alexis Eberhard led the team in assists. Despite the loss, the true victory lies in the team's commitment to one another. The Panthers battled throughout the night and left everything they had on the court. The team’s journey this season was characterized by mutual support and a drive to push each other to do their best (at practice and during games), successfully finishing the season together as a unified group. A special shoutout goes to the seniors who provided incredible leadership all season long: Keira Tremblay, Isabella Bultema, Leila Liberto-Taylor, Addison Smith, and Brianna Zwar. Their dedication and leading by example set the standard for the season, and they will truly be missed. The 2025 Volleyball Team Roster: Freshmen: Braelyn Campbell, Alexis Eberhard, Aubrey Winnell, Adelyn Campbell Sophomores: Gianna Berry, Ava Thomas Juniors: Katelyn Kostrzewa, Emma Owens, Kelsie Gaston, Ava Hobson Seniors: Keira Tremblay, Isabella Bultema, Leila Liberto-Taylor, Addison Smith, Brianna Zwar