Power Buff Volleyball

In this article, Audrey will be reporting on the annual Junior vs. Senior Power Buff Volleyball match, along with a short preview of information about the new GP Boys Volleyball Team.

Power Buff Volleyball 2025

By: Audrey Roetling

On Feb. 28, 2025, the annual Power Buff game was held at the Heater Newman Gymnasium. Power Buff is part of the junior and senior tournaments that are held as a tradition at Grants Pass High School. This includes Power Puff (girls playing flag football), which occurred on Nov. 14, 2024; Power Buff, boys playing volleyball; and the finale Junior vs. Senior Games, which consists of a series of competitions, such as Tug of War, Crab Walk, Human Pyramid, and an obstacle course— being held on Apr. 25, 2025.

Image by: BBC Bitesize Guides

Volleyball is traditionally played to the best of five games, with each game ending when a team reaches twenty-five points. Points are scored when the ball hits the ground on the opposing side and points are lost with penalties, such as: faults on a serve, making contact with the ball three or more consecutive times, touching the net, or hitting the ball out of bounds without a player from the opposing team touching it first. In volleyball, the player positions also rotate; each player moves clockwise before they get a turn to be the server. There are six people playing for each team at a time.

The match was dynamic. The stands were filled with juniors wearing white and seniors wearing blue to represent their teams. There was a galvanic sense of competition, felt even in the stadiums. Since volleyball is such a methodical sport with specific positions, it involves a high level of communication, which makes it easier to bond with teammates, even within the span of two practices and one competition. The teams were coached by the GPHS girls' volleyball team. Austin Fuller, who is planning on trying out for the GP Boys Volleyball team commented, “Having others in my grade coach us made it a much more entertaining experience.” He added, “I am excited to get better at volleyball and get to know the sport more.” There was evidently a sense of pride in the accomplishment of teammates across the board: David Ruiz, from the junior team, stated: “My favorite part of the game was the head-butt score from Bobby Dishmon. It was amazing.” Owen Boersma, from the senior team, remarked: "When Alvaro Barrero came into the game and scored a point for our team…it was a special moment for the team, everyone was hyped and it got the whole team pumped up.” It was a game of teamwork and split-second decisions that brought the players closer together in spite of the formed rivalry.

The game used the combination of many abilities— endurance, leadership, and determination. In spite of the point deficit for the class of 2026, it was clear that neither team would back down, as the junior class gave their everything, going for dives and spikes for a chance of victory. “My favorite moments of the experience were hanging out with everyone, having a good time, and diving for balls to save them,” stated Gaius Cougle, from the Junior team. “I felt I brought a morale boost, receiving, and saves.” Defensive positions really need to have quick reaction times with decisions and be in anticipation of anything unexpected. There is also strategy involved in offense, such as controlled tempo and formation of plays: “I feel like I helped contribute in getting the game started, keeping the team set, and making sure we capitalized our opportunities,” stated Owen Boersma. There is a need for seamless collaboration and leadership to highlight the strengths of the players. In the end, it is a game of more than ability, but strategy and reaction time.

Photo Credit: Nebula Huertos - Martinez

Ultimately, the game was an effortless victory for the senior class of 2025, and a heartbreak for the juniors. Owen Boersma summarized, “Game was a breeze. We smoked them 3-0, and we were confident we would do that before the game.” On the contrary, from the junior team, Gavin Reckard stated, “It was a crushing defeat for the class of 2026. We will be back next year for vengeance.” The game felt electric. It was fast-paced the whole time, and ended in a moment. Bricen Hull, a senior who scored the last point of the game, said of his Power Buff experience: “It was all about the environment, the lively energy, and the lasting friendships.”

The confidence of the senior class after this victory and the determination of the junior class may be the driving factors for the fierce competition at the Junior vs. Senior games on Apr. 25, 2025. It will be the senior's last chance at victory in high school; the junior class' last chance to make a rebound. Furthermore, there will be an opportunity for the boys at Grants Pass High School to join the new, official volleyball team. Tryouts begin on Fri. Mar.7, 2025, with plenty of matches in March for the student body to attend. The team will be joined together with Hidden Valley and coached by Hidden Valley's girls' volleyball coach, Jamie. Power Buff 2025 was an enthralling experience for those involved — a match to remember.

Sources:

Interview with Austin Fuller
Interview with Bricen Hull
Interview with David Ruiz
Interview with Gaius Cougle
Interview with Gavin Reckard
Interview with Owen Boersma

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