The varsity volleyball team won against Carnegie Vanguard High School on Oct. 28 during their senior night, a warm up game before playoffs against Cy-Fair.
As the nine seniors walked across the gym one by one and posed for pictures, their names and future plans after high school were announced.
Senior Meadow Lam was second to be honored. As both a volleyball and soccer athlete, both teams were there to cheer for her.
“While walking down the aisle, all my soccer teammates and friends were screaming my name, which was all that I could hear and focus on,” Lam said. “I didn’t even know how to react or what to do at that moment, but it really made me feel the love that Bellaire had given me. I also was grateful to have my family walk with me and truly appreciated their unending support all these years.”
Senior Lucy Bannerman also walked the aisle, feeling “kind of embarrassed,” as she walked in front of a large crowd.
“I remember freshman year watching the seniors on my team walking down the aisle just like that, so it made me realize that so much time has passed,” Bannerman said.
Amongst the players who sat on the sidelines watching their senior players walking the court, junior Olivia Wang applauded for her fellow upperclassmen.
“This year’s seniors have been truly amazing role models and friends to everyone on the team,” Wang said. “They are the most welcoming, smart and funny group I have ever met. I am incredibly grateful for being able to spend so much time with them.”
Bannerman has been a varsity volleyball member all four years of her high school career and has played with many new teammates over the years.
“I think learning to work and play with new teammates every season was a good way to learn teamwork and compromise,” Bannerman said.
This year, the varsity team consisted of more new players than the year before. However, many of the players had already built connections with each other in junior varsity.
“We all also happened to be friends with the returning varsity players already, which helped with creating a positive and strong team dynamic,” Lam said. “Before districts started, we spent a lot of time together at tournaments, pre-season games and other events, so we also had time to connect there. This was probably the closest team I have ever been on, and I feel like I am genuinely friends with each of my teammates.”
Bannerman adds that the team participated in team bonding activities to help them connect.
“We had team bonding events like pumpkin painting at our coaches house,” Bannerman said. “We also played games and danced before our games which also helped.”
Wang reflected on how much the seniors meant to her, as she has “looked to them for advice and help numerous times.”
“Their positive presence on the team has been undeniable,” Wang said. “I am going to miss having them as a constant comfort.”
On a twelve game win streak, the Cards came out dominant in the first set with a senior only rotation.
“At first, I was nervous about our senior set since we had never played a competitive game in a rotation together. However, playing with all the seniors was definitely an amazing moment for all of us,” Lam said. “I was honestly just having a blast on the court — the energy was so high, and everyone felt so excited for one another throughout the entire game.”
This idea wasn’t only held by Lam. Bannerman felt a similar feeling during the first set.
“The first set, I was really scared and didn’t want to lose because it was senior night, but honestly after the first set I wasn’t worried anymore and it was just a very fun game,” Bannerman said.
Wang, along with the other underclassmen, cheered on the sidelines as the seniors dominated in the beginning of the game.
“The highlight of the game was probably watching the seniors play so well during the first set because you could tell how much they were enjoying the game,” Wang said. “Their energy was contagious, and it really set the tone for the rest of the game. Seeing them enjoy the moment after all the hard work they’ve put in over the years was really fun to watch.”
The seniors won the first set 25-9.
“Carnegie was a good game for senior night because we were able to have an all-senior lineup and still have an exciting match,” Lam said. “They had strong players, but we continued to play as a team the entire game with our chemistry leading us to the big win.”
The team went back to a normal rotation as they won the second set 25-15.
“I just wanted to keep going, point after point, and to have fun since that’s what volleyball is all about,” Lam said
Victory was sealed when the team won the third set 25-9.
“I think the whole team played really well and the energy in the entire gym was high,” Wang said.
As the Cards remained ahead, seniors were able to sub back in to finish the game in an all-senior rotation.
“Volleyball has introduced to me a lot of amazing people and friends that I wouldn’t have met if I hadn’t been on the team,” Bannerman said. “I have also been able to participate in cool activities like traveling and staying in a hotel with my teammates for a volleyball tournament. It has also been a time commitment though, and it has taught me how to balance my homework and studying with volleyball.”
After the game, Lam reflects on her experience with volleyball as a whole.
“The most valuable thing that I’ve learned is perseverance,” Lam said. “There were difficult times when I felt so down on myself or so frustrated with my playing, even times when I wasn’t sure whether or not I wanted to continue. But, I still stuck through with it and feel like I’ve improved significantly as a result. I am really glad that I kept pushing and motivating myself because here I am now and choosing to stay was one of the best decisions ever.”
As this game helped close out her volleyball career, Bannerman soaks up the bittersweet moment.
“It is a little sad, but honestly it feels good to know it’s almost over,” Bannerman said. “Four years is a long time.”
The Cards finished the 2025 season with a record of 17-14. They had an early exit in round one of the playoffs leading to the end of their season.
“I still can’t believe that high school volleyball is coming to an end,” Lam said. “I started off high school with volleyball and my teammates the summer before freshman year, now ending it with the same people. I really formed a love for volleyball from the friendships on the team and the feeling of excitement on the court. Even though this is ending, I will forever treasure the last four years, especially our senior night game, for the rest of my life.”
Alia Hassan • Nov 4, 2025 at 1:18 pm
So heartwarming! Great job