On Wednesday, Sep.18, the Mercy Marlins Varsity Volleyball team took on the Marian Mustangs in an exciting rivalry game.

While the first set did not have the outcome the Marlins wanted, as they fell short 25-14, the Marlins remained hungry for the win. In a thrilling comeback, Mercy took the second set with a score of 25-22.

There’s no doubt that the Marlin student section showed out for the big game. From senior to freshmen, the magnitude of cowboy hats, boots, and posters certainly helped revive spirits during the later sets.

Fishbowl, Mercy’s school spirit club, rallied students to support the Marlins on their way to victory.

“It was hype. Everyone’s voices were gone,” Senior Jessica Heath said. The crowd was highlighted several times during the live stream.

The Marlins, in high spirits, took the third set with a score of 25-22. By this point, Mercy knew they could obtain a win. All they needed to do was persevere. The team, led by seniors Ella Andrews, Maya Zarow, and Cree Hollier, has a strong bond that ripples throughout the Mercy community. By motivating each other in plays and uniting to celebrate every rally, the team was able to remain calm in this stressful situation.

As the fourth set was coming to a close, it was still any team’s game. The Mustangs reached a score of 25, while Mercy was down at 24. However, the Marlins ramped up their defense and were able to take the set with a final score of 27-25.

The student section then ran onto the court, celebrating a victory against a rivalry that spans decades.

“We were all really excited. From the beginning we had faith in our team,” Senior Camryn Alexander said.

The victory was huge for the Marlins and will contribute greatly to their future rankings.