As our season ended last November, ending with our second victory in a row, we had no clue what the future of OSC Boys volleyball would hold. Losing crucial seniors on our team was an evidently big challenge that we would have to overcome. Additionally, due to poor productivity, the beginning of our season was spent on the outdoor basketball court with gym renovations ongoing. When it rained, we would walk through the halls of the school setting the ball above our foreheads. We had to make due.
Our year started with as many games as possible and renting outside venues to get game experience. Thanks to coach Janaka, we could pick up back to our normal speed in a few weeks despite the gym being inaccessible.
By October 23rd, we boarded a flight to Amman, Jordan, to compete at the American Community School (ACS) as 2x reigning champions. The stakes were high, but the tension as we walked into the packed stands of ACS as “two-time reigning champs” with the other SAISA schools glaring at us was massive. Low taper fade. As the tournament kicked off our first game gave us a false sense of security as we blew out the International School of Islamabad with 25-8 and 25-11 sets. Here, the coach of the opposing team called us terrifying and monstrous (which was ultimately not what our egos needed). However, the next game was against ACS itself as we opened up lethargic and got complacent. A 2-0 loss.
Our first loss in 5 years (thanks to COVID for making this stat look cooler than it is) had come in the group stages to a team we had destroyed the last two years in blowouts. This was a monumental blow to our team and a loss the next morning to the Lincoln School of Nepal left us all in shock. With five seniors on the team, we were on the verge of heartbreak for our high school career.
Passion surged through our veins as our next game was against the American School of Bombay, a true go-all-out or go-home match. With us beating them in a 14-1 comeback last year, our rivalry was at its pinnacle. They were hungry for revenge and we could tell on their faces. We lost the first set. Our constant formation changes that we hoped would make us more dynamic had become our greatest flaw–yet we could not figure out why it was not working. Anyways, with our high school volleyball legacy on the line, we ended up coming back to win 2-1 in a late-night showdown. As the final ball hit the ground, our team was silent. Our expectations were through the roof. But we almost lost our quarterfinal match.
The next day was set to be an uphill battle. With the remaining games being all or nothing, we faced ACS in the semifinal in front of packed stands. Thankfully, we played the best volleyball we had all tournament and quickly sent them home, silencing home fans.
Our final match was set against The American International School of Muscat (TAISM), a rematch of last year. With the venue set and fans watching from all over the region, we stepped out to what would be half our teams final match. In true OSC fashion we kicked off to a slow start losing the first set. Thankfully, the second turned in our favor as our brilliance allowed us to triumph. With the momentum, we took the third set by storm as we led 24-21. The final point, a loose ball over the net, was smashed home. OSC wins set 2. Just kidding. Referee whistles a net touch very very questionably and late, TAISM is already at their bench for the next set. Following this egregious call, we picked ourselves up and then another poor ref call on a reach was made and we ended up tied 24-24. I honestly felt bad for Coach Janaka, a referee for the Sri Lankan national team, as the refs in Amman were unaware of the rules of the tournament making reach calls that were legal. Anyways, with the momentum now in TAISM’s favor, the ref calls had ruined our mentality as all our supporters in the stands were outraged. Third set to TAISM, 2-1 in their favor. Filled with rage, we were unable to overcome the flock of eagles from Oman as they took the match in the end.
Heartbreak.
As emotions came over the seniors of OSC Boys Volleyball it was a tearsome reward ceremony and despite questionable refereeing, a wonderful tournament.
Dear volleyball, I will be back.