It was an emotional evening at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as the women’s varsity volleyball team celebrated their senior night with a commendable 3–0 victory over Charles W. Flanagan High School. The stands were packed with supporters as the seniors took the court for what was their final home game. The energy in the gym was palpable, with the Eagles rallying behind their seniors to deliver an impressive performance.
The first set saw MSD come out strong, maintaining a steady lead throughout. They jumped to a 7-point advantage early on, making their score 9–2, and by the time the score reached 25–8, they had easily sealed the set. The team’s focus was evident, though some felt their lack of preparation impacted their start.
“I was excited for the game, but I didn’t feel prepared because we didn’t get to warm up,” opposite hitter Gracy Fraysure (10) said. “Still, I think we did pretty decent for how we were, and our seniors did very good.”
Fraysure was one of the seniors being honored that night. Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, she expressed her pride in being the first to be recognized.
“I thought it was great,” Fraysure said. “Especially since I got to go first. It was great, and it’s great every year.”
As the match progressed into the second set, MSD’s early dominance was challenged. Flanagan managed to close the gap to 9–8, prompting the Eagles to call a timeout. The break was what the team needed, as they regrouped and surged ahead to win the set 25–17, taking a commanding 2–0 lead.
Despite the victory, both players and coaches saw areas for improvement. Head coach Aidan Gidon praised the team’s overall performance but acknowledged their loss of focus at times.
“The team played great, but I think we lost focus a little bit and got a bit lazy,” Gidon said. “So, overall, pretty well, but we can always be better.”
One area that stood out to Gideon as needing attention was serving.
“I think we need to improve on serving,” Gidon said. “We missed a lot of serves.”
As the third set began, the Eagles once again showed their superiority. They quickly built a 9–2 lead, keeping the momentum firmly on their side. MSD dominated the set from start to finish, capping the night with a 25–8 win to complete the sweep.
While the night ended in celebration, some players could not help but feel that their performance could have been stronger. Fraysure felt there was room for improvement despite the win.
“I think we could have done better,” Fraysure said. “We did well with what we had, and we scored another win, but we could put in more effort and be a little more motivated to play.”
Center Elle Naqvi (9), another senior playing one of their last home games, echoed a similar thought.
“I think we really played as a team towards the end and kind of brought the energy up,” Naqvi said. “It’s a lot more fun when everyone is coming together, and it was a really nice night for all the seniors, so I think we played really good.”
For Naqvi, the night was bittersweet. She described the emotional significance of senior night as a “full circle moment” and reflected on her journey with the team.
“It was really sad but really nice,” Naqvi said. “A lot of these people I’ve been playing with for a while, so it meant a lot.”
Looking ahead, the Eagles know there are areas to address before their next game. Both Fraysure and Naqvi emphasized the need for more unity and effort in future matches.
“For the next game, I think we just have to always play as a team instead of playing as individuals,” Naqvi said. “And make sure we keep the energy up and always keep our effort up.”
Coach Gidon agreed, noting the spirit the seniors brought to the match.
“Absolutely, I think the seniors poured their hearts into this game knowing it was their last home game,” Gidon said. “For some of them, it’s going to be their last home game ever, so they really put everything into it.”
In the end, the night was about more than just the win. It was a celebration of the seniors who had given their all to the team over the years. As MSD walked away with a 3–0 victory, they did so with a mix of pride, emotion, and determination to continue improving.
