On Tuesday, May 6, the Royals faced off against the number one team in the state, Roncalli. HSE came out strong in the first set, playing with energy, determination and confidence. Despite their efforts, they narrowly fell 24–25 in a nail-biting finish that showcased their potential and competitive spirit.
The team entered the match with a focused mindset, showing they were prepared to challenge even the toughest opponents. However, things began to shift in the second set. Momentum started to slip and a player injury took a toll on both the mental and physical aspects of the game, creating added pressure and tension on the court.
During the third set, senior Tyler Flagg went up for a block when his achilles tendon seemed to give up on him. However this injury has not deterred him for future games.
“I think the game was good, but a tough match against a tough team,” Flagg said. “Next time, I think what we need to change is keeping our momentum up even in the toughest moments so we can power through.”
From this point forward, the team struggled to maintain the high energy and intensity they showed early on, which impacted their rhythm and confidence. Communication broke down and the boys found themselves out of sync and behind the pace. With players dealing with jammed fingers and ankle injuries, Coach Wes used the team’s final timeout to regroup and give everyone a much-needed breather and mental reset.
Despite the loss, HSE showed resilience, grit and heart. Ranked #11 in the state, they stayed competitive in every set against the top-ranked squad. The boys left everything on the court—at one point even needing to re-wipe the floor due to how much they were sweating. That kind of relentless hustle, pride and heart is exactly what defines HSE athletics and its student-athletes.
Photo by Kiera Brehm
