Lily Bone, supported by her O. Henry volleyball teammates, competed in the city championships for the second year in a row, feeling a combination of nerves and hope. When asked if competing in the championships was a stressful experience, Lily simply replied, “Yes, it was. But we were a little more relaxed because we already did it in 7th grade.”

However, Mr. Borders, the assistant coach for the O. Henry volleyball team, felt confident. “I was feeling pretty good about it. We have a solid team.”

Lily is not only incredibly skilled at playing volleyball but also enjoys it very much. “Most of my friends are on the team,” she said.

To prepare for important games, Mr. Borders has the team run specific drills and exercises during practices to sharpen and perfect their skills. “I like to do spot-serving because, with these high-skill-level players, it’s important to put the ball where you want it to go.”

Although the Mustangs absolutely dominated both matches of the championships, with a final score of 25–9 in the first match and 25–5 in the second match, Lily is not without her regrets. According to Lily, “I think my passing could have been a little bit better. But I’m proud of my work in the front row.”

In summary, both the Mustangs and their assistant coach are proud of a job well done, a task well accomplished, and a game well won. When asked whether he was pleased with his team’s success, Mr. Borders responded, “Very. They did great. And they were a joy to coach.”