The team went into the state championship undefeated and secured their victory in a tie breaking match. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo).
On Saturday afternoon (11-15-14), the Mt. Edgecumbe Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team won their State Championship. The school held a celebration in their honor after school today (Wednesday 11-19-4), that a presentation of the championship trophy.
The Braves won the 3-A State Title after a nail biting tie-breaker against the Monroe Catholic Rams.
Both teams were undefeated coming in to the three-day, eight-team tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. In the championship game, the Braves actually lost to Monroe Catholic, 3-2.
But since it was their first loss, and Monroe Catholic had lost a previous game, both teams were given one last chance.
“We had to play what’s call the if-game, or if necessary game,” said Coach Michael Mahoney. “And it’s one set to 30 points, win by two.”
The finale was something out of a movie. The Braves trailed for the first half of the match, but made a strong comeback that tied the score, 28 to 28.
This is the third time in four years the MEHS Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team has won the 3-A State Title. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
On the brink of victory, senior Renatta Olson, the team captain, delivered a key serve.
“All season long, Coach (when you’re serving) puts us in this situation: ‘You’re serving game point,’” said Olson. “In practice, he would say that. And what I thought was, ‘This is actually it. I’m serving game point and if I get this in we win.’
Mt. Edgecumbe High School declared today Cardinal and Gold day, asking everyone to wear school colors to honor the victorious team. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
Olson got it in. And with a few more plays, the Braves secured the championship.
The Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team also won the state championship in 2011 and in 2012. For Senior Eden Cronk, who has been on the team since freshman year, this victory is the perfect way to close out her high school volleyball career.
“Every year doing same thing. The same warm up, the same stretch,” said Cronk. “Warm-up. Prayer and cheers before every single game. And it was amazing how we ended it.”
Mt. Edgecumbe High School declared today Cardinal and Gold day, asking everyone to wear school colors to honor the victorious team.
The varsity team of Mt. Edgecumbe High School. (Photo courtesy of Michael Mahoney).
