Sheridan volleyball’s accomplishments in the past two years

By ADRIA JUMP
Sheridan High School Student

Editor’s note: The Sheridan Student Column is brought to readers by Sheridan High School’s 10th grade Accelerated English class, taught by Alicia Burnell.

Playing a sport is a privilege. An obvious end goal for the team is to keep winning and go as far as you can, but sometimes that doesn’t happen. Only one team can win a game, while the other has to lose. At most, four teams can win a state title because volleyball is only 1A-4A, while other sports are 1A-6A.

Sometimes you have to focus on the little wins with your team and little accomplishments before you can celebrate the big wins.

I’ve played varsity volleyball at Sheridan for two years, and I have been able to create some of my most memorable moments with the girls. In the past two years alone, there have been many records broken and new milestones reached.

In the 2024-2025 season, we went into sectionals not really prepared and not knowing what to expect. We believed in ourselves, but it wasn’t enough to win a sectional title. We lost in four sets against Lapel in the sectional championship, and just like that, it was the end of our season. But just because we didn’t win sectionals like we had hoped doesn’t mean good things didn’t happen during the rest of our season.

In total, seven records were broken, and by several different people. Kenzie Garner broke the season block record with 56 blocks, as well as the career block record with 139 blocks. Trinity Parkin broke the career ace record, with 148 aces for her career. I contributed as well, breaking the season assist record with 608 assists. Nova Cross added on to her previous career assist record, with 1,186 in total. As a team, we broke the season record, ending the 2024-2025 season 19-11.

If that wasn’t enough, the 2025-2026 season might have been even better. This year we went into sectionals with a chip on our shoulders, wanting to beat Lapel more than ever since we had never beaten them before. We had worked hard the week leading up, watching film on both Frankton and Lapel, and preparing ourselves for the games ahead.

We beat Frankton in five sets, and we were off for a couple hours to rest and prepare for the big game ahead.

Then it happened.

We won sectionals for the first time ever. Additionally, we beat Lapel for the first time, and in a five-set match.

After we won sectionals, we prepared the same way to play Benton Central, watching film on them and practicing areas that we knew we could be better in. In the end, we lost to Benton Central in three sets, and once again, it was the end of our season.

Even though we lost, many good things came out of this season. We won sectionals for the first time in Sheridan school history and made it to regionals. Meredith Krupp broke the season dig record with 424 digs, as well as the career dig record with 1,232 digs in total. Lainey Mendenhall crushed the season kill record, with 404 kills. I also beat a few records, including the season ace record with 95 aces, the career ace record with 144 aces and counting, and the career assist record with 1,207 assists and counting.

Another big thing that came out of this season was when I hit 1,000 assists. I was lucky enough for it to be a home game, making it even more memorable for me. On top of that, Krupp was able to hit 1,000 digs earlier in the season at an away game.

Although we didn’t win regionals this year, I am so incredibly proud of the team and how far we have come, and the things we were able to accomplish. I am so grateful for everybody I’ve played with, and the team we were able to create.