COLUMBUS – A Night of High Hopes and Heartbreak for West Warriors
On a night that started with so much promise, the Victoria West Warriors found themselves knocked out of the playoffs in what can only be described as a match filled with ups and downs. The Columbus gym was packed to the rafters on Monday, buzzing with excitement as both teams took to the court. Despite the enthusiastic atmosphere, the Warriors were unable to clinch victory against the college rosters from College Station, ultimately suffering a 3-1 defeat that ended their season.
A Tough Start for the Warriors
As the game kicked off, it quickly took a turn when an unexpected incident unraveled the momentum for West. An assistant coach being handed a red card forced head coach Garrett Gomez to sit down for the entirety of the match. Just when the Warriors seemed in fine form, leading 5-4 at the time, they fell apart in the first set, losing 25-16.
“It was hard not being on the sidelines,” Gomez expressed after the match. “We knew we had every reason to think we could win this, yet it just didn’t go our way.”
That initial shock of not having their coach on the sidelines clearly took a toll on the players. Libero Jazmine Valenzuela echoed Gomez’s sentiments, recounting how difficult it was to have someone so crucial to their energy absent. “It really devastated us knowing he wouldn’t be able to cheer us on the way he usually does,” she noted.
College Station’s Fearless Offense
As if the red card wasn’t enough, College Station stepped up their game, revealing a fast-paced and diverse offensive attack that caught the Warriors off guard. “They seemed to know our weak spots right from the start,” Valenzuela admitted, yet there was hope as the team began to adjust.
The Warriors tried to rally back in the second set, but College Station would not be easily deterred. The Cougars closed the set with an 8-4 run after it was tied at 17, winning 25-21.
A Glimmer of Hope in the Third Set
With their backs against the wall, the Warriors roared to life in the third set. Senior hitter Hannah Loest was on fire, chalking up five kills that helped turn the tide momentarily in favor of West. “We were not going to go out without a fight,” Loest declared, capturing the spirit of determination that surged through her teammates.
Valenzuela was instrumental in holding down the defensive line, making sure the ball stayed in play as the Warriors took the third set 25-21, rekindling hopes of a comeback.
The Final Push that Fell Short
But as the fourth set unfolded, it became apparent that College Station had other plans. The two teams traded leads five times within the first 22 points. Yet with the score tied at 11, the Cougars found their rhythm and launched a 13-5 run that proved insurmountable. The Warriors fell 25-18, leading to a heartbreaking conclusion to their season.
A Historic Season
While the loss was hard to swallow, there was much to celebrate. The Warriors finished the season with an impressive record of 40 wins, the highest in the program’s history, and they advanced to the regional semifinals for the first time since 2015. “This is by far the greatest team I’ve ever coached,” Gomez said, praising the cohesion and love among the players.
As the curtain closes on the season, the team will surely miss their seniors—Valenzuela, Loest, and setter Natalie Christensen—who played pivotal roles in the Warriors’ success. “They were the backbone of this team, and their absence will be felt deeply,” Gomez remarked.
What’s Next?
The Victoria West Warriors leave the court this season with their heads held high, embodying both pride and resilience as they prepare for the future. With tryouts looming next year, new talents will undoubtedly emerge, yet the legacy of this year’s warriors will resonate throughout the gym for seasons to come.
