The varsity volleyball team started the second half of district play 3-4, which placed them fifth in the district. With a win Oct. 4 against Duncanville High School, they moved to 4-4, which is the fourth-best district record. Four teams make playoffs, so the race to stay above .500 is crucial for the Broncos’ playoff birth this year.

“Our goal in the second half of district is to win at least five games to be guaranteed a spot in playoffs,” junior middle Jordan Henderson said. “We’ll get there playing as a team and switching up our offense frequently.”

Having the goal of playing and winning in the playoffs is a precedent within the volleyball program. Ending their season in the second round the past four years, none of the players know what it’s like to play in the regional semi-final. Senior outside hitter Brynn Dowd wants to break that streak in her final year as a Bronco.

“Our postseason goal is definitely to make the third round of playoffs,” Dowd said. “We need to start and end our games strong, play together as a team and not play down to our opponent’s level.”

Playing their best regardless of the opponent will be a big part of the team’s success this year. Moving into 6A, teams are more competitive, so when playing in a game the team is supposed to win, it’s important to capitalize. Henderson feels winning those games is the first step in starting off the second half of district the right way. 

“There are a lot of teams we hope to redeem ourselves against this time around,” Henderson said. “We have to focus on those games because they were upsets that we should have won.”

With only three district games remaining, the Broncos need to win all of them if they hope to make the playoffs. They sit at the fifth spot in the district, so their game against the fourth-ranked Lake Ridge Friday, Oct. 17. will be a very important game to win. The Eagles have been on a roll, winning their last three games in a row, so the Broncos will need extra motivation to knock them off of their playoff spot.

“I am motivated most by my family and the people around me,” Dowd said. “This year has been hard for everyone, but my family has helped push me through it all. 

Alongside family, the Broncos have looked to Coach Shingleton for motivation as well. Henderson’s relationship with their coach has helped her improve as a player since she joined the program her freshman year.

“I’m motivated by [Coach Shingleton] because she has endured a lot recently,” Henderson said. “She is still always here for me so I want to get to the playoffs and be there for her.”