Mouth of the River

The gym was hot and stuffy. I turned to see the bleachers packed with people, their heads turning as the ball sailed over the net going back and forth between the two teams. The feeling on the court was tense, as point after point ticked by during the Unified Volleyball State Championship. In the end, the Oyster River High School (ORHS) Unified Volleyball team secured the win against Dover High School (DHS).

On June 3^rd, 2026, we were named state champions as medals were hung around our necks. After three nerve-racking sets and relentless effort, the team came out victorious against our rivals, DHS. After a devastating loss the past year to DHS in the championship, the victory felt deserved. Each point felt like a battle, but with a mix of skills from each player, we became victorious. Now that the season has officially come to an end, it has become an experience that we will all remember.

Before game day, I’ll admit I was nervous. During the fall season, I was a part of the ORHS girls’ volleyball championship team, but I felt different this time. After injuring my ankle in the semifinals during the fall season, I wasn’t expecting to play much. This spring, however, I knew my coaches and teammates would be counting on me.

 Things became even more stressful when New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) rules limited the number of partners who could play. After difficult decisions were made, only 6 partners were left. After choosing the six, I felt more confident, but disaster struck as Griffin Zerveskes (‘29) and Ryan Butts (‘27) both got injured during their soccer games that weekend. This definitely threw a wrench in the works as now there were only four of us. I felt nervous, and I will admit for a second I lost hope but then I remembered that this team was one made for the books. I remembered that I wasn’t just playing for me, but for my teammates, coaches, and all their families. So even though not everyone was able to step onto the court, through energy and cheers, they helped us to win.

My nerves only grew when I walked into the gym on championship day. Looking up at the bleachers, I knew they would soon be packed. I was right. Both ORHS and DHS brought loud fan sections. As the match began, the DHS fans made their presence known.  Every DHS point was met with loud cheers and celebrations, and some fans even yelled at our players when partners sent the ball over on one or two hits. As a team we tried to get three hits: a bump, set, and hit, the final contact coming from an athlete. Sometimes, sending it over in one and two was the smartest move to catch the other team off guard, normally scoring points, but when the other team’s fans booed our logical play it made us feel down. As the match continued the noise grew louder, the gym felt smaller and each rally felt more intense than the last. We knew we had to block everything out and stay focused if we wanted a chance to win the state title.

The opening set laid the foundation for what was to come. We kept the lead the whole set, but the score often wavered. Colin Curran (‘27) and Kai Lonano (‘28) were a duo that DHS realized they shouldn’t mess with. The Bobcats utilized both Curran and Lonano, often setting them up, for a hard hit over the net. When the final point of set one was scored, the bleachers erupted with cheers, and high fives were given all around.

The second set proved more difficult for us. Our opponents responded with aggressive serving and efficient offense, forcing several errors and building an early lead. Head Coach Jake Baver started to sub in different members of the team to give players a break, and others a chance to get on the court. While the team was down Baver took a timeout, and told us to, “tire out their opponents.” After the game, Baver said, “I was still confident, even if we were going to lose this set. I knew it was going to be a productive sequence either way.”

During the set, the Bobcats saw talent from all different players. Jaagruth Odugu (‘28), used his strength to combat multiple serves and scored many points when the Bobcats needed it most. Odugu is never afraid of the ball, always ready when the ball comes his way. This was also the same for Paisley Hussey (‘29), who was a key server and scored many points for the Bobcats. Hayden MacNeil (‘27) shares her favorite moment from one of the sets; she says, “Paisely had a spike from a tough ball. Sometimes it is hard when the partners spike it right at the athletes, and she handled it, and hit it right back at them.”

Unfortunately, we lost the second set, but instead of letting it discourage us, it gave us even more motivation. As we gathered together in our team huddle, I could feel the determination from everyone there. We knew we were only 15 points away from either winning or losing the championship. I remember talking to Maddie Reppuci (‘27) and June Brown (‘27) who would both be on the court with me in the final set, saying things like “we have to get it over,” or “ go for the open spots, in the back corners.” We all knew that the pressure was on us. We knew we needed to communicate and push for every point, as in the end they made the difference between victory and defeat.

With a championship on the line, the final set delivered some of the most exciting moments of the season. With Anna McCrone (‘23) getting two hits and saving the team with her serves, and Nolan Leonard (‘29) getting a bump that nearly saved an intense play. Curran and Lonano were also key figures. Curran often diving to save the ball, and Lonano having a spike down the line. Players from both teams fought hard, and rallies grew more competitive as time went on. We were down most of the final set, but with good communication, and strong defense, we were able to claw back the points previously lost.

The score was 11-13; DHS needed two points to win. After being subbed onto the court, Alexa Gombar (‘24) stepped up to the serving line, pressure weighing on her. Gombar needed to get her next serves over. As the whistle was blown, Gombar hit the ball as hard as she could; the ball soared over the net. We gained the point. This happened again. The score was now 13-13. DHS called a time out hoping to throw off Gombar’s serving run. The referee blew the whistle which beckoned the serve. The gym fell silent, this serve being the most crucial of the entire night as it decided who got game point. Before serving, Gombar took a deep breath and after exhaling she went to serve the ball. Bump. The ball went flying over the net, as Gombar let out a sigh of relief. We fought for the point and came out victorious, only needing one point to win it all.

On game point, Brown served the ball to DHS. After three hits, the ball returned to us. It flew in the air towards me, in which I passed it to Repucci. After a delicate but deadly bump over the net, DHS was unable to return the ball, signaling the end of the game. The crowd erupted in cheers; the team was embraced by coaches and the bench as they crashed the court. Hugs and high fives were given all around.

The 2026 Unified Volleyball State Championship won’t just be remembered as a victory, but by hard work and friendship. “I am going to miss playing volleyball with everyone… one of the best parts of unified volleyball is the bond you create with the team and meeting so many new people. I think it’s something that can’t be replicated until the next year,” says Lonano. Long after the plaque is displayed in the trophy case, those memories will remain with every member of the team.

For me, this championship means much more than a plaque or medal. It represents the countless practices, bus rides, laughs, and heads up games that brought our team together. Standing on the court, let alone being a part of the final point was such a privilege. What made it even better was being surrounded by my teammates and coaches and seeing how happy the win made them. This is a memory I will never forget

-Thea Smith