“I would be happy if someone was booing me in cross country,” said senior Holton Mody. “People wouldn’t boo a bad team, I don’t understand why Coach Gough is mad at us for stomping our feet.”
On October 21st at six pm, the varsity volleyball team took on the Northside Panthers in the second round of the state tournament. The student section was completely full – the whole crowd standing by the end of the game.
“Obviously we’re gonna win. Have you seen our team?” said senior Daniella Franco
This statement became less certain as the away team fans started to stomp their feet when the WCS team served. When the student section started doing it back during their teams’ serves, Coach Amanda Gough was not happy.
“Does she not want people to come watch the games?” said senior Anna Robards. “I’m confused.”
The student section died down towards the end of set one, nervous to cheer against the referee’s questionable calls after Coach Gough’s reaction.
“People try to distract us during basketball all the time. Why aren’t we allowed to do that here?” said senior Wesley Oliver.
Graeme Stewart, Head Soccer Coach, moved and shortened the boy soccer team’s practice to allow his players to attend the game. Once they arrived at the beginning of the second set and heard the other team stomping, the student section decided to try to interrupt the other team’s serve no matter what Coach Gough tried to tell them from across the court.
“She can’t kick us out, can she?” said Robards.
After winning the next two sets (25-15 and 25-16), Gough was asked about the game, and more importantly, her thoughts on the student section.
“I don’t want to be that team that wins just by getting in their heads. They’re already coming from three hours away. We want to win by skill,” she said. “But if the other team is going to do it first, I don’t care. I just don’t want us to start it.”
The next two games went by easily for the Wolves, winning against Bear Grass Charter 3-1 and East Columbus 3-0, with the student section overflowing.
“It has really surprised me how many people are showing up to support the volleyball team,” said senior Atanas Milchev. “It really felt like we had an influence in helping the team win.”
Assistant Athletic Director Aimee Haygood has been organizing prizes for the grade with the most students in attendance. 57% of the senior class attended the game against Bear Grass, winning themselves a pancake breakfast.
“Every game should be big and hyped like that,” said junior Madison Watson. “We shouldn’t need a reward to support our peers.”
The Wolves lost the regional game against the Falls Lake Firebirds on October 28th, but it wasn’t for the lack of attendance. Over 20 students went to the game, riding the bus driven by Jamie Nuss, the kindergarten Teacher’s Assistant.
“It was really fun to get to spend time with my friends and support the team,” said senior Daniel Horil.
Though volleyball season is over, the gym won’t be empty for long, with basketball starting scrimmages as soon as November 4th.
“I’m really sad that it was my last game but I’m really proud of the team,” said #13 Taylin Banbrook, senior middle hitter. “I really appreciated the hype people brought, and I hope it continues throughout the basketball season!”
