Girls varsity volleyball made history this season, winning league for the third year in a row and following that up with a dominant run to the section championship, taking a sweeping victory to advance to the open division playoffs. Their dominance continued as they fought their way to a state championship appearance against Mater Dei.

Seniors Devon Schweitzer and Abigail Mahnke, four-year members of the program, said the victory in the section championship came from discipline and preparation. “We went into the game with a clear plan, and we executed,” Schweitzer said.

Both seniors emphasized that their game plan all year was simple: to get better every day. They formed the team’s tight-knit culture, built from the freshmen and seniors on the team, helping them earn their goal.

Freshman Iliya Little played a crucial role in the section championship match after senior Addy Scheitlin went down with an injury. “I was nervous, but everyone supported me,” she said. “They told me ‘you got this,’ and then I wasn’t scared.”

We do what we’re told. We win. – Abigail Mahnke

The Thunder swept Woodcreek 25-13, 25-20 and 25-21, crowning them section champs. The team advanced to the state playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the open division.

They continued their dominance with a sweep in the first round and then won a close five-set match against Branson, making RHS the first public high school to reach the open division state championship.

RHS ultimately fell to Mater Dei in the finals, but this does not discredit their historic and generational season.