The Pumas engaged in an extremely high-intensity championship game, neck and neck with Boulder Creek until the very last set which ended in Perry defeat 25-21. The Pumas did not go out without a fight, using creative plays and strategic moves throughout, each set coming down to a mere few points.

Perry’s student section was mostly full, a sea of black constantly chanting and encouraging the boys throughout the difficult game. This support shows the excitement that came along with making it so far, not only for the team, but for everyone at Perry. This is the furthest the team has ever come, earning the title of state runner up, and that in itself, is a victory for both the team and the school.

Senior Ethan Fillmore explains, “I think we did a lot better than people expected. A lot of people doubted us and didn’t think we could get this far, but we did. I’m just really proud of how far we came.” The progress the team made throughout the season was tremendous, moving up in the national ranks, and continuing to go further into the playoffs than any previous years.

The championship game constantly kept the spectators on their feet, neither team losing energy or power throughout the duration of the game. Perry dominated the first set, winning 25-17 over Boulder Creek, but it was after that when the team begun to fall. Throughout the game, there were constant ‘dinks,’ when the players act as if they are going to spike the ball, but instead tap it lightly over. This occurred heavily on both sides, at first catching the opposing sides off guard, but eventually, becoming predictable.

As the game advanced, Boulder Creek grew more aggressive, and Perry matched this intensity well. “I thought it was a really consistent level of aggressive play from both sides. All we wanted to do was play the best that we could, and we were pretty close the whole time,” explains Head Coach Brian Pomerantz.

The team is not deterred by the loss, but motivated by their strength in coming this far. “We’ve done awesome this season. We came so much further than we ever knew we could have come, and we came together as a team and played one of the best games of our lives,” says Sophomore Collin Hoag.

In the end, Perry did not seize the championship, but they put up a great fight.  “We fought hard this whole season, and we deserve to be here. We did our best, and in the end Boulder Creek came out on top, and that’s okay,” explains Senior Garrett Wagner.
The team worked hard to make it to the championships, and worked equally hard while there. Although the nail-biting game ended in a loss, the Puma’s have no regrets, and instead feel pride for their accomplishments.