From Underdogs to Champions: BT’s 3rd & 4th Grade Volleyball Team Wins PAL Tournament!

Bruce Grogan

BT’s 3rd and 4th grade volleyball team, coached by Varsity Volleyball players Olivia Grogan, Avery Nichols, Angela Hensley, Becky Hoban, and Meelah Haase, had a season to remember. After starting the regular season with a challenging 2–7 record, the team of 12 young athletes continued to show up, practice, and improve week after week. They practiced once a week for an hour—on either Mondays or Wednesdays—focusing on building the fundamentals of volleyball, including serving, passing, and teamwork. This past weekend, the team competed in the PAL Tournament at St. Pius/Leo School, facing off against the same teams they had played throughout the season. The tournament began bright and early at 8 a.m. on Saturday, where BT opened strong with a win in their first game. Afterward, one of the opposing coaches even asked, “How did you guys win when you went 2–7 all season?”—a testament to the team’s remarkable growth. Fueled by energy and confidence, the girls went on to defeat Conestoga in the second game at 11 a.m., earning a spot in the championship match at 1 p.m. The final game was intense, with both teams showcasing impressive skill and determination. In a close finish, BT ultimately came up—claiming the tournament championship title. Coach Olivia reflected on the season’s exciting end, sharing, “The girls had so much energy and fun throughout the match. We came up with lots of cheers to keep them motivated, and they never stopped pushing, even when they didn’t expect this outcome. They worked incredibly hard, and this was such a great way to finish the season.” From a rough start to a championship win, BT’s youngest volleyball players proved that perseverance, teamwork, and positivity can truly turn a season around.