Tour stop #1 for the 2nd Annual MaxPreps Girls Volleyball Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard! For the second year in a row, I visited the Papillion La Vista South Titans, as their volleyball team was ranked No. 1 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 writer's poll. The Titans won their 2nd consecutive State Championship in Class A, ending the season yet again with a perfect record! For the second year in a row, the Papillion La Vista South's girls' volleyball team received the Army National Guard national ranking trophy, which is that of a Minuteman - symbolic for commitment, excellence, dedication and perseverance.
I arrived to the school Friday evening, December 16th, just as the girls' basketball team was finishing their warm-ups to take on the Norfolk Panthers. Just after the game ended, the team was outfitted in their commemorative Army National Guard/Tour of Champions t-shirts and took their seats on the team bench. In front of an excited and proud crowd and local media, the volleyball team was presented with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy and a championship banner from the Army National Guard. The student section was on their feet, cheering loudly as the cheerleaders threw out t-shirts and basketballs while the prestigious trophy was carried into the gymnasium. Gregg Peterson from MaxPreps rallied the crowd as he praised the team for being #1 in the state 2 years in a row. Each time he announced "The championship team" the student section rose to their feet, cheering wildly and jumping up and down! He then introduced the Nebraska Army National Guard who presented the trophy to the seniors. The seniors gave a heartfelt speech while together holding on to the trophy. Two local television stations were on site, along with the local newspaper, all capturing the moment once again.
After the ceremony, the team gathered in the hall for pictures and interviews. The team only loses 2 seniors and will be contenders for the national and state championships again next year, led by 3 seniors who have all committed to NCAA Division 1 universities to play volleyball. Congrats to the Titans on another spectacular season!
