The state championship was the last high school match for four Wabaunsee seniors. They took time Monday to reflect on the significance of their victory and their time playing volleyball at WHS.
Laurel Barber
As a little kid I would always go outside and pass the ball against the roof. And let me tell ya, that was not always the best idea. Momma Angie getting woken up on her Saturday off was not always the best sight. I would always watch my sister play volleyball and being the competitive person I am, I always wanted to do better than her.
So here we are state champions. We couldn’t have done it without our parents, friends, community, and our coaches.
I just want to say thank you. Thank you mom and dad for spending so much time and money on volleyball tournaments, hearing me complain about being short and pretty much everything else or even that one time when I thought I wanted to quit. Thank you for the support and dedication.
Thank you to the community and pep club that has faced the ups and downs with us. Thank you for cheering us on all those nights and always wanting the best for us.
Thank you to my fellow teammates who pushed me day in and day out. If it wasn’t for the hours we spent in the gym smiling through the pain of being sore and tired, we wouldn’t be here.
Thank you to my fellow seniors who have played with me since we were so, so, so tiny. Thank you for always being there for me and always making me and everyone else laugh. I’m so happy to say that I was a part of the class of 2020.
Finally, thank you coaches, and Jim (Heine, bus driver) ! Thank you for your dedication to this program. You push us past our breaking points, deal with our attitudes, and most importantly tell us what we are doing wrong, even when we don’t want to hear it. Your countless hours will never be forgotten. Thank you Jim for the laughs and the constant support. You really are one crazy guy for dealing with all of us but we are so grateful for all you do.
I honestly don’t think I could’ve been happier with how this season turned out. So thank you everyone, for everything. Turning in my jersey might make smile or cry (most definitely cry) but I’ll always have the memories I made with some of the best people I’ve ever met.
Alexis Hafenstine
Winning state volleyball was one of the happiest and most surreal moments, and as soon as I saw the final ball hit the floor, I immediately collapsed into my teammates and cried my eyes out.
Winning state meant all of our hardwork and dedication throughout the years and in the offseason finally paid off. One memory that sticks out the most from the season is diving for a ball in the sub-state championship and chipping my two front teeth, (but I guess winning state made it all worth it)! Another memory is taking our croc bags with us to every game and sitting them on the bench, definitely our good luck charm!
This year and this team was so special, we were always laughing and having fun together which helped get us to the top. Everyone helped pick each other up and stay positive whether we were up by 10 or down by 8. It’s so bittersweet to see my high school volleyball career come to an end, but I’m so thankful for all the memories I’ve made the past four years.
Megan Strait
My volleyball career at Wabaunsee has been a wild ride. My first two years were very stressful because my mom was the coach, and because of a few problems, I had to finish my last two years with a new coach. We’ve had a lot of success and made it to state 3 out of 4 years and I was on the state team for all of them.
Although the group of seniors wasn’t as big as it was my freshman year, I wouldn’t trade the girls for the world. I’ve been playing with them for six years and I have no clue what I’m gonna do without them on the court with me. We have been through all the ups and downs together and they’ve been my rock throughout it all. This year was the best year we’ve had and we have the state championship trophy to prove it.
All of the girls on this team are so talented and I’m glad that we did what we did for my last year. I’m gonna miss my coaches for always pushing me to do my best and for getting us to where we ended. Wabaunsee volleyball will forever have my heart!
Macy Falk
Saturday November 2, 2019 is the day that we always wished would have come sooner.
For many years I have dreamed of being a state champion, not realizing that one day it would actually come true.
As I stood on that court with my teammates for one last time I took a look out into my crowd, looked at my teammates, to my coaches, and to my fellow seniors and felt that amazing feeling everyone else wants to feel.
Everyone wants to win state, but unfortunately there can only be one winner. Thank you Charger Nation for believing and being there when nobody else was.
#7 is saying a goodbye to the red and blue jersey as a state champion.
The Charger 