Cyprus Boys Volleyball faced Hunter High School on March 21, 2024, this game was highly anticipated for Cyprus as Hunter Boys Volleyball is one of the best in the region, while also being a rival school. This match was played at Cyprus in the main gym and the turn out of the game was 3-0 Hunter High, a player who stood out was Ethan Larson from Hunter, with the best stats in all categories. Cyprus High School is 1-6 on the season and the next match is against West Jordan on April 9, 2024.

Cyprus Volleyball Player Trae Fairclough talks about the mindset going into the game, “Definitely a lot of nerves, Hunter is the best in our region so that definitely seems a little daunting. However I also felt confident in our team's ability to hold our own.”

Fairclough most likely had the same thoughts every player on the team had, even with low chances of winning this game they knew what they were capable of winning that game if everything turned out well. Although it didn’t turn out well Fairlough still keeps his head high and ready for the next game.

Fairclough states , “It was definitely a thought in the back of my mind, however I believe that our team goes into every game knowing that we have to bring our all.” Fairclough also mentions, “Volleyball is a very mental sport and the moment we let something as trivial as a rivalry get in the way it’s easy to start losing our momentum.” 

Fairclough didn’t see the rivalry as something important to him, it seemed as if it was something that would get in the way of their momentum throughout the game and that they were only focused on the game itself as this again was one of the hardest teams they would face all year.

Fairclough was asked which player stood out the most throughout the game, He stated that, “In my opinion the key player to all of this would be Aleki Langi. As our setter he controls how our plays turn out, he is our playmaker in a sense, he has to be fully aware of everyone on the court's strengths and weaknesses, we are extremely lucky and grateful Aleki.”

Aleki had been a key player as his attitude and hard work as a captain had been beneficial to the game against Hunter, Aleki was a player who even stood out to me throughout the game and played the role as a great leader.

Cyprus High Volleyball Manager, Ainsley Lee, on the importance of this Rivalry game, “I personally feel it's so important because Hunter High is our schools biggest rival since they’re the closest school to us, they’re also one of the best teams in the district for Volleyball so playing against them is an amazing experience for the players to go up against.”

Lee shows the importance as they are one of the closest schools to us and it brings most of the rivalry through that, Lee has also shown how great of an opportunity it is to face such a team. Lee has also stated that this team is one of the best teams they will face all year but it’ll bring a bigger drive towards this game.

What the managers do to help prepare the players for the games and even one such as this one, Lee States, “What we like to do is try to get them extra reps. So hitting at the players, setting them, passing with them & etc, we also  always try to cheer as much as possible even when they get subbed off at the table.”

At these games a good warmup before every game is very beneficial and they had what I saw a great warmup and positive attitude as well as help from all the managers who make this pregame routine possible. Lee also stated the cheering aspect and well if you had been there they had cheered as much as possible throughout the game even while being down against Hunter.