The PHS varsity volleyball team, full of juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, were seeded first in their district. After winning the 24-25 class 3 championship, and losing five seniors, this young team had a lot of expectations to fulfill. The Lady Trojans’ record for this year is 22-4-2, their only losses coming in tournaments, plus one regular loss to St.Pius X, the defending Class 4 state champions.
Coach Matthews said, “I am so impressed with this team! After losing the players we lost last season, I didn’t have many expectations because this group hasn’t played together since middle school.”
With only three players returning, who have played varsity since their freshman year, the Lady Trojans were looking at a brand new line up. Gibson has stepped up as varsity’s full time setter. Smith returns to volleyball after taking a year off. But her talent has not been cut short over that time. Thornton has stepped up to help set in the St.Pius X game, but has also shown her talent on the right side and back row, adding a couple of kills, and digs for the team. Litton has stepped up, from being a freshman finding her purpose for the team, to a sophomore who is a key all around player for the team. Kirby, Ainley, and Payne have contributed to some kills, and blocks on the court. Essmyer and Eden have shown their talent on the back row. Head Coach Matthews decided to pull up sophomores Chloe Essmyer, Paige Robart and Cali Dunn for the post season games.
When talking with Coach Matthews, she made it clear that she knew her girls could end up the top seed. She spoke of the work they have put in on and off the court, they have stayed on their grind since June.
Robart said, “It feels good to be the number one seed. We definitely deserve the win, we have worked very hard to be where we are. We are excited to play in districts and hopefully make it out.”
“Our team’s mindset is to go game by game, to not take anything for granted and to just simply play our hardest every game,” said McCarthy.
Both leaders of the team have played a huge role in the team’s success. Robart recently surpassed the 1000 kill club during a regular season game. While McCarthy surpassed the 1000 dig club during a tournament.
I asked Coach Matthews what she felt has been her team’s success over their season, and she says that they rely on the GAS acronym. “Grit, attitude, and sisterhood is what this team stands for and they 100% stand behind that. They are kind and beautiful girls who are amazing volleyball players and teammates. I could not have asked for a better group of girls this season. They are all peaking in their individual ways to help their team be successful at the perfect time,” said Coach Matthews .
With the voting being unanimous by the other district coaches, the girls are super grateful for the seeding they got. The defending state champs hope to bring home a district title for a second year in a row, and maybe another state run. The girls will play on October 23, given a bye in the first round. They will play the winner of Notre Dame (St.Louis) and Central (Park Hills), at St.Genevieve High School time tbd.
“They have exceeded my expectations and set the bar extremely high! I could not be more proud of them,” said Coach Matthews.
