For Columbus North seniors Imani Guy, Maliah Howard-Bass, Mady Johnson, Mackenzie Rooks and Hannah Weaver and Thursday night’s volleyball contest against Martinsville was extra special.
It was senior night.
The Bull Dogs made sure that they celebrated on a happy note. Despite falling behind Martinsville 6-2 in the first set, North took control of the match the rest of the way and went on to win 25-18, 25-16, 25-20.
It was a bit emotional for North coach Caitlin Greiner who says that her seniors made huge contributions to the program this year.
“Words cannot even describe it,” she said. “They are truly great leaders and role models. It is a really great example for what we have working to build this program to be. Every single day, they work the hardest, and they hold the younger girls accountable and I truly could not ask for a better group of girls.”
Rooks said that everyone on the team plays a specific role that has helped the team become successful this season.
“We are making sure everyone feels included and how each person contributes to our team,” said Rooks, who finished with 15 digs. “By us doing that, you can see how the underclassmen take control — some in the front row and some in the back row. It is a different amount of leadership from everyone.”
Johnson finished with 27 assists and an ace for the Bull Dogs (13-6). Guy pounded nine kills and five blocks, Howard-Bass recorded 10 kills and three blocks and Weaver had seven kills and two aces.
Maddy Sebahar added nine digs and two aces. Agustina Fainguesch finished with nine digs and seven kills, and Lily Meyercord added two blocks.
North led 18-15 in the first set and put it away by outscoring the Artesians 7-3. The Bull Dogs jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the second set and cruises from that point forward. With the score 20-20 in the third set, North rallied to score the final five points of the match.
The Bull Dogs have won four in a row.
“We’re super pumped, and as a team, we are very confident,” Rooks said. “One of our biggest problems this season was having mental toughness and not being able to finish out matches. We made sure our mental toughness is up, and that helped bring our confidence and know we can beat better teams. Having five seniors really gives us a bigger confidence to know that we are doing better.”
