As the school year ends, boys’ volleyball season followed with their final home game  – serving one last time.

The cheers of hangry moms and tired dads echoed through the gym as size 10 shoes squeaked around the court. West Chicago’s Wildcats played a tough three sets with St. Charles North’s North Stars on May 16, winning their final home game.

The Varsity volleyball team faced their year-end closing with confronting eyes on their final game before regionals with a 2-1 set win.

Before beginning their game, the boys practiced setting and receiving the ball to one another to warm up and prepare. Senior Nazarii Krailiuk and freshman Phillip Cabrera set to their teammates in a few practice rounds.

Junior Vincent Spadoni served the ball into the second set of the game. 

“There [were] a lot of unforced errors but I [knew] we could beat this team, I [knew] our whole team could,” Spadoni said.

Although it may not look like it at first glance, the spread of adrenaline is evident in their teammates, observing and cheering for those on the court, as they gripped their hands together in unison.

Excitement was not the only thing spreading: rivalry was shown between both school cheer groups supporting their team and spreading school spirit. Both groups came up with fun chants – despite the crowd being on the smaller scale.

Many observing the game cheered and acknowledged the hard work put into the team. 

“They were great. It’s nice watching the seniors finish the last games in the season. You always got to think volleyball to even be better,” parent Dermot Ryan said.

To motivate and relight the boys, Coach Regina Pauli provided them with a quick summary and advice as to where they needed to be more focused on the court.

“[It’s important to know] that they have to work together on the court. Even if [a] team might have one or two like great players, it’s a team effort,” Pauli said.

With many close calls, the Varsity’s defense made a great effort to maintain the ball in the game. Teamplayers Krailiuk and sophomore Sean Blickhan worked together to try and quickly block the other team.

Within a few minutes of recovery, the boys gathered their thoughts and contemplated how to get back stronger and better. The matches went by extremely fast and both teams – West Chicago and St. Charles North – did a great job saving the ball and challenging one another.

Despite losing the first set, the team made a comeback, winning the last two.

“I’m just very proud of them because obviously losing you can easily lose momentum [but] we came back, ready to play. They brought the energy and when [you] bring the energy, [you] play better and things happen,” Pauli said.