The supporter’s section at most Archer varsity volleyball games is home to athletes’ parents, siblings and the occasional friend tagging along. But the supporters section at the varsity volleyball senior night game Oct. 13 housed much more than that: from seniors decked out in purple wigs, glitter and tutus to giant cardboard cut-outs of athletes’ faces, the gym was brimming with Archer spirit.  

The varsity volleyball senior night celebration took place Oct. 13 after a game against Pacifica Christian High School at Park Century School. Community members were invited to attend the game and celebration, which began at 5 p.m. The athletics department provided a fan bus for students in need of transportation to the gym.

“I am just so proud of [the seniors]. What they are doing is astonishing, and all the hard work they have devoted to this sport is seriously so impressive,” senior Noor Afshar said. “I wanted to come to not only cheer them on but congratulate them for their determination and commitment to Archer’s programs for four years.”

Students, teachers, family members and friends celebrated seniors Maya Bajaj, Uma Bajaj, Dani Fenster and Kennedy Schultz, who have all been playing volleyball for Archer since middle school. The team won the game, continuing an almost undefeated season where they were named the 2022 Liberty League Co-Champions.  After making it to the second round of CIF playoffs Oct. 22, the season has officially ended.

“After going to the volleyball game at Buckley, I was enamored by the amount of school pride that we have for volleyball and just for seniors — I wanted to keep that going,” senior Eliza Tiles said. “I really wanted to go out and support them, so I was eager to come to our senior night.”

To commemorate the seniors’ volleyball journey, fans constructed posters decorated with photos, giant cut-outs of each seniors face and gifted the seniors flowers, crowns and framed, signed mini jerseys. 

“When we walked into the gym, I gasped. It was just so amazing because all of us seniors have such a strong connection with the younger girls on the team, so I knew it was going to be extravagant, but I wasn’t expecting that,” Fenster said. “It felt really nice to have the recognition for something that we’d been a part of since sixth grade.” 

Following tradition, younger players on the team gave speeches to the seniors to recognize their contributions to the team and recall memories. Fenster described the speeches that brought many players to tears.

“Us seniors have a really strong connection with younger girls, and every single speech that each of us got — none of them felt generic,” Fenster said. “It was hard to hear just because the season is ending, and I’m not playing volleyball anymore, so it’s tough for multiple reasons.” 

The celebrated seniors and their Archer peers went out to dinner at Loqui to culminate senior night. Tiles acknowledged the unique community participation that transpired last Friday night. 

“We don’t have a lot of games or a gym in which there’s always something happening every Friday night for someone to go to or take part in,” Tiles said. “So, I think that when we do have those options to be steered towards sports games, we really go all out. It’s really fun to support and be with your community — to see everyone decked out in purple and see the teachers come in support really shows how strong our community is.”