Surrounded by cheering fans, the varsity volleyball team hugged each other as they celebrated winning the district championship.

This year, the varsity volleyball team tied for first place in District 7-6a. This was the first time they had won a district championship since 1998, and their first 30-win volleyball season since 1976.

“It’s definitely something that I’ll always remember,” senior Caroline Huffman said. “It feels really great because you know that you’ve solidified a piece of yourself in Richardson High School history.”

The road to becoming co-district champions wasn’t free of obstacles with losses to Lake Highlands and Pearce, before securing wins against them.

“After we took a loss to Pearce, there was a bit of a deficit in our play and confidence,” senior Alaina Armstrong said. “But we were able to rebound.”

The support from their teammates, coaches, teachers and peers helped the players to be successful on the court.

“I think the student section at our games has really been supportive, and I think the teachers stay really involved which helps us stay motivated even on those days that we’re a little off,” junior Brooke Rifkin said.

The volleyball team used this support and their own hard work to reach their goal of winning the district championship.

“I’m so incredibly amazed that we made it this far,” sophomore Abigail Fender said. “I knew we had the skill and the talent, I’m just glad that we could push through and make it this far.”

Seniors on the team said they will miss the relationships they’ve built on the team.

“It’s honestly just a bittersweet feeling, being able to play with the girls one last time as a senior and just bond for the last time before going off to college,” Armstrong said.

Though they may have mixed feelings, the seniors said they are proud of their work and have high hopes for the future of the team.

“We’re all leaving behind a legacy, all the seniors, but we trust all the underclassmen
to do their job and to keep it going, so it feels good,” Huffman said.