Let the cheers reign through Ranger country because the FHN Huskies have been defeated. After a long season that started in the summer, the Ranger Volleyball Team has faced off against the Huskies multiple times, in the Battle of the Hills, invitational tournaments, and now the regular season. In the game that mattered the most, the Rangers did not shy away from the challenge this past Thursday. In spite of what most people expected the outcome of the game to be, the Rangers pushed through and got the victory. Not only to remain undefeated in the regular season but to be named conference champs.

“Last Thursday was a great win for us,” senior captain Sarah Dunn said. “It was a game we had been preparing for all season and all of the work we had put in really paid off. I know the entire team was really proud of ourselves to finally get a win against FHN.”

Fans have seen this team from the beginning of the regular season fail to contain minor mistakes which lead to large amounts of points handed to the opposing team, the Ranger Volleyball Team has developed into what I believe to be one of the strongest teams in the state. Last year’s team was powerful with many strong seniors that we lost this past season. However, this team’s play gives off a strong sense of strength and unison. When we look at where this team has come from, the amount of work they put in has not gone unnoticed.

“It took a lot of changes as well as preparation,” junior Avery Weslow quoted. “We held our teammates accountable which was well worth it in the end.”

The Rangers have gone from looking like a mediocre team to now number one contenders in the conference tournament and are looking like a very serious contender for regional finals. Last year the Rangers fell short in the regional finals to Rockford. Hopefully, the Rangers see a different outcome this year.

“This win has increased our confidence so much,” said senior captain Averie Zaschak. “This has made our team realize that we got this, and to never give up.”

The team has worked hard to get to where they are now. It is extremely impressive to see a team overcome their greatest opponent of the season, an opponent they have repeatedly fallen to up until this point. Who doesn’t get excited when the Rangers beat their backyard rivals?

It’s hard to beat the Rangers, because these girls never give up. The ladies are now in first place going into the conference tournament. This is only the beginning, the ladies have now shown that this year’s team is truly in for a promising postseason.