Lausanne Volleyball is set for an impressive season. Led by Aaliyah Bethea '23 and Reese Trusty '24, the team has added key pieces to the lineup in Kinney Boyle '24 and Kaylee Alford '25.
After hosting sparse crowds for sporting events for over a year, The Lair was packed and the atmosphere was electric last Thursday evening at the Lausanne volleyball team took to the court. Their opponent, Harding, had won the last five matches against the Lynx. But the junior varsity team had just come off a straight-set sweep of the Lions that had whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Both student sections were filled with students (masked and socially distant) who were already in mid-season form.
“The student section was incredibly supportive and the atmosphere was electric," said Associate Athletic Director Cayce Densford. "Everyone was so proud of how hard the team played. It was such an exciting game to start the season.”
The passionate play matched that of a win or go home scenario. After the Lynx won the first two sets, the atmosphere reached a point where faculty and staff had to keep the student sections in their pre-arranged place in the stands.
Harding took the third set, which set the stage for a fourth set and a chance for the Lynx to stop the Harding comeback.
“The fourth set is always an important set in a game," shared Coach Phil Laquinta. "Win it match is over, lose it, and now you have tied two games apiece heading into a 5th and final set to 15, not 25 points. Anything can happen, especially after letting a team down two come back and tie it. You never want to go to a fifth set unless you are the team coming back.”
Lausanne seized control of the set early, closing the door on Harding and earning the four-set victory, and scoring a huge win to start the season. As crucial as that game was for the team, the coaching staff knew that using that momentum to propel them through the remainder of the season was necessary.
“After losing the first game of the season in close games against ECS, beating Harding for the first time in five years gave us a lift and momentum going into a weekend White Station tournament,” Laquinta said.
The Lynx used that momentum over the next two days, earning wins over MHEA (2-1), Southwind (2-0) and Germantown (2-0).
Lausanne fans will have the opportunity to show their spirit again on August 31, as the Lynx volleyball team returns to the court for a match against MHEA.
"Having so many parents and students out for the game gave the team a much-needed boost, the gym was on fire, and you could feel the electricity in the gym,” Laquinta said. “We only have three more home games this year, so I hope the crowd keeps coming back.”
#LetsGoLynx #BeGreat