ZHS bids farewell to six seniors
The Zephyrhills Girls volleyball team sent the seniors out with a victory on senior night at the Dog House against Zephyrhills Christian Academy.
A disappointing season had an incredibly high note when ZHS knocked off Zephyrhills Christian Academy in straight sets 25-12, 25-7 and 25-7 Monday night for the final home game for Maya Llanes, Aamahri Lewis, Breanne Rood, Madison Poe, Tayrn Henry and Lis Santiago.
The matchup with the neighboring Warriors is the first meeting in any sport between the two schools in any sport. The Warriors, a fairly inexperienced program, capitalized on some early Bulldog errors and trailed by just one point at 11-10 in the first set. ZHS roared back and outscored ZCA 14-2 the rest of the set. In the remaining two sets, the Bulldogs dominated.
“It was nice to give them the win,” said first-year head coach Emily Frazer. “I think on a senior night, it should be one of those where you go out with confidence. I’d rather our senior’s leave on a win. They haven’t been seniors of a winning history, so I think sending them off knowing that they won is something that will forever ride with them.”
These seniors have gone through three head coaches in four seasons at ZHS and are a combined 4-57. Frazer looks to be in for the long haul and is already changing the culture.
“I learned a lot being a Bulldog,” said Lewis, who was a dominant hitter against ZCA. “I learned how to take a loss and appreciate it when we win. Volleyball creates tight relationships and it can you’re your tight relationships up. To play with these girls and to play with the coach we have taught me to learn that even if you have problems with people on your team, you need to mold as a team.”
Llanes, a basketball standout, cherishes her time with her teammates as a Bulldog volleyball player.
“Words can’t explain what this team means to me,” Llanes said. “It has been a heck of a ride. It’s bittersweet. I know I’ll be back on this court for basketball season. This will be the last time I play volleyball in the Zephyrhills High School gym. It will really hit me when basketball season ends.”