Mighty, Mighty Warriors

By: Laura Cofrancesco

               

             It is a sunny crisp fall day on September 16, and from the outside of the gym at Havre de Grace high school, the sound of the time buzzer goes off loud and strong; a preview of the game that is about to be played. Inside, two teams are warming up; Havre de Grace and C. Milton Wright. They are on opposite sides of the net, and even from sitting on the marroon and gold stands, the feeling of tension is strong.

            For the past few years, Havre de Grace has been one of the best volleyball teams in Harford County, Maryland. Nearly every year, the team makes it to county chamionships and always wins in the top three; bringing home many trophies. C. Milton Wright, however, has always been a team they haven’t been able to beat for the past 6 years or so. This game, the Havre de Grace Warriors are hoping to change that.

            In the Warriors home gym, the two teams warm up by swatting the ball back and forth at each other. One Warrior serves the ball over the net so hard it almost slams a CMW player in the face. There is only three more minutes until this history changing game will start.

            The time buzzer once again goes off, and this time the two teams walk to their proper side of the court.  Once the referees blow the whistle, the once-noisy chatter of the gym is now a hushed silence as two teams get in their ready stance. Havre de Grace has the first serve, and senior David Beck hits the ball with a loud thud that echos in the now quiet gymnasium. As the ball flies over the net to the other side, the other team just stares at the ball and none make a move to get it. The first point is scored by the Warriors.

            As the game continues, conversations pick up once again in the gym. Teenagers goof off with their friends feeling carefree. But on the court, every player is focused. The first game out of five comes to a close end, but CMW wins the first round. The second game continues after a brief pep talk from the coach on the Warriors side, James Beck.

            Beck, former alumni of Havre de Grace high school, was an exceptional volleyball player for the Warriors. When he played, just the sight of him walking onto the court sent chills through the other teams spines. Not only is his height of over six feet intimidating, but he can hit a nasty serve; usually one that makes opponents too scared to even attempt to hit it back. Now Beck has come back to share his knowledge of volleyball.

            It is getting later in the afternoon, and the Warriors end up winning the last three games. With one more match to go, the few CMW fans present are ready to go home, now doubtful of a win. Listening closely from the stands, the voice of the irriated CMW coach can be heard telling his team, “If you wanna play like that, you can go over to their team and wear THEIR jersey!”.

            After many vicious serves by the coaches brother David Beck, quite a few digs by freshmen Sean Darney, and many intimidating blocks by Tyler Cook, Warriors win this volleyball match. When the final buzz from the timer goes off this time, every Warrior fan stands up to cheer on the winning team. The Havre de Grace Warriors have done what everyone thought might possibly never happen again; beat C. Milton Wright.

            After the stands have started to clear out, the Warriors do a team huddle around James Beck as he congradulates them. When asked what he predicts the future will be like for the team this season, he says without a doubt, “Oh, we’re gonna make it to county championships this season.” After this amazing game, it does seem that way. Now that CMW is defeated, anything is possible for the Havre de Grace Warriors. A senior and member for four years on the team Steven Ashmen says on the play of the game,“We use our teamwork to pone noobs”. His team mates around him laugh and give each other high fives. They are all proud of what they have accomnplished this fall afternoon, as they should be.