The Verrado Vipers girls’ varsity volleyball team is currently producing their best season in Verrado history.  The Vipers have recorded twenty-seven wins this year, and only seven losses, with still two games yet to be played.

In 2010, the current seniors began as freshmen and witnessed the program finish the season with a record of 4-19.  The following year, the varsity program improved to 12-12.  Last season, the varsity team finished above .500 for only the second time in the program’s history, posting a record of 22-7-2.

However, this year, the Vipers are doing something the program has never done before.  The Verrado Vipers are headed to the playoffs.  Their section record of 10-2 was good enough to send the Vipers into the postseason.

Junior Maitland Lonquist gets ready to return a ball on the Vipers home court against Cactus Shadows

Prior to October 21, the Vipers were undefeated at home.  Verrado took on Agua Fria, hoping to keep their perfect record at home alive. In a back and forth affair, the Vipers were able to force a fifth set against the Owls, but came up just short in the end, losing their first game at home.

The loss was devastating; however the support the Vipers received throughout the match from their home crowd was unbelievable.  Senior Erik Kleine who was in attendance for the Agua Fria game added, “loud and crazy is the only way to describe it.  It was intense and just absolutely awesome!”

“The talent and willingness to work from new, fresh faces, the support from our school and our desire to succeed in the postseason are all factors as to why we are in the position we are in today,” says senior, Lacy Schlueter.

As the Vipers wrap up the season and eye a state title, they are going to have to do it without senior and captain, Holly Macholl, who suffered a torn meniscus and ruptured her ACL this past week.  The rest of the team writes Holly’s number 12 on their wrists before each game and “wants to win for Holly and play for those who can’t,” adds Lacy Schlueter.

The Vipers are looking to make a deep playoff run, aware of the challenges they will have to face as they move into the playoffs.  However, they are fully prepared to play their very hardest, leave it all on the court and “Win it for Holly,” making Viper Volleyball history along the way.