The girls varsity and junior varsity volleyball squad squared off against Daegu Middle High School in the Jetnasium on September 19th. As both teams battled for victory, the crowd roared their support from the bleachers. The Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) also sold refreshments for fans to snack on throughout the long night.

The first game featured DMHS and DIS JV girls’ teams. DMHS started off with ferocious serves, especially from number 11 Kay Thomas. They led the game 7:0. As the rallies progressed, DMHS raced up by double digits. The Jets fought back as number 0 Ellen Cho aced one serve after another. 

DMHS won the close first set with a score of 25:20. With a complete turn of events from the last round, DIS took the lead in the second match. The total score tied up at 1:1. 

In the final competition, both teams brought out all they’ve got, but in the end, DMHS triumphed with a set score of 15:13.

“I was kind of nervous at first, but it was fun…It was kind of cool that I did that, serve aces and super receives, and I realized I should practice more,” said Cho, star of the JV game. 

Next, the varsity teams warmed up for their game. The gym filled with tension. Just like the JV matchup, DMHS displayed dexterity as number 12 Trinity Harvey fired her jump serves at the DIS varsity squad. Because of the challenging arsenal of serves, the military base school took the first set, 25:11. 

DIS girls were determined to take back the second set. Jets leveled the serve intensity that DMHS exhibited in the first set as number 9 Leewen Wang led the way with her aces. However, number 15 Jasmine Harvey of DMHS dominated the front lines. Her 6’ 2” stature towered over the relatively shorter hitters and blockers of the DIS team. But in a turn of events, number 16 Sunny Oh from DIS did the unimaginable and marked the 6 footer.

“I knew that she was the middle and I knew she was going to hit middle on the third hit, so I was getting ready for it and I was just looking for the timing and I jumped on the right timing and after I blocked it, I was overly excited cause it was our chance to bring the score and atmosphere and everything back. I was proud of myself,” Sunny, varsity team captain, said. After a long back and forth between both teams, DMHS took the second match as well, 25:17. 

It was make or break for the Jets as the whistle blew for the final game. Number 12 Trinity Harvey’s serves continued to show no mercy and she ended the game as the MVP. DIS faltered with the final set score of 25:10, and DMHS concluded the night with a 3:0 win. “DIS is very nice and friendly and made our team want to return. DIS was a very respectful school and made competing with them a blast, ” DMHS star Trinity Harvey said. 

For the boys’ volleyball matches, due to the lack of players who tried out for the military base team, DMHS didn’t bring any teams. On the plus side, DIS scrimmaged against themselves in front of a live crowd, which provided a grasp of official SKAC and Korean International School’s Athletic Conference (KISAC) game play and rules and a sneak peek at the Jets future capabilities.

The Jets boys future looks bright as both the varsity and junior teams demonstrated skillful play in each set.  “I know we will win because we have a very strong team for volleyball,” number 25 Justin Son said. As the season progresses, both teams eye a victory at the SKAC and KISAC tournaments. 

The day served as a bonding experience between two Daegu schools. Players not only reflected on their volleyball skills but this event announced the start of the sports journey of the 23-24 season.

Gallery • 16 Photos

Nadia Woo

YiManuel Cortez in ninth grade awes in shock as he watches a super play from his teammates.