Every year a new set of seniors take the stage for high school sports. They are responsible for being the leaders and mentors to the underclassmen. Seniors Lucie Rutherford and Olivia Comer have taken that role for the 2017 season and have led their team to a record that has, so far, already surpassed that of the past two years combined. Comer, who has spent four years on the varsity team, is already satisfied with the way her team has played this year and hopes to finish the season with a record above .500 which has been scarce for varsity volleyball teams in the past.

“I really just want to come out with a winning season. We have tripled our wins from last year already this year and I am super grateful for that so even if we don’t win another game this year I’ll be happy. I think we’re capable of making it now with a winning season,” Comer said.

Rutherford has taken to the role of being a stand-in coach when needed. She believes that taking on the role of captain means that keeping everybody in check while still having fun.

“I’ve really enjoyed [being a leader]. It’s just the little things like in practice you have the say over everybody else and you just determine when you start stretching and when you start warming up. You’re kind of the second coach in a sense so if the coach isn’t there you get to take over,” Rutherford said.

Closing the book on the chapter of a high school career can be saddening to some seniors, but Comer finds that she will happy how the season plays out no matter what.

“Words can not describe how much I’m going to miss volleyball, and I’m short, so there’s no way I’m going to play anywhere but high school. I’m going to try and do intramurals just because I think I would go insane if I didn’t have volleyball or something active to do,” Comer said. “It’s awesome but at the same time it’s really sad. Usually it’s sad when we lose because I realize that that’s the last time we are going to play that team at that location ever.”

Rutherford has spent all of her high school years playing volleyball on both the JV and varsity team. She believes that her experiences throughout her career has helped with how she was performed in her final season and a Blue Streak.

“[Being in my final season] is kind of bittersweet because I’ve been doing it since I was a freshman. It’s definitely nice to end up as a captain this year. I feel like my work paid off,” Rutherford said.

Comer is the only senior to participate on the varsity team for all four years of high school and can still remember when she was given her opportunity to play.

“[My proudest moment] was probably being a freshman on varsity,” Comer said. “I just remember going into the room with [my coaches] Andy Thompson and [Hannah] Bowman and they asked me ‘do you want to be on the varsity team because you’ll get playing time’ and my face hurt from smiling. It was awesome.”

With four years of being on the varsity team comes  memories, both good and bad. Comer recalls some of her favorite and least favorite moments as a setter for the team as a freshman.

“My best moment ever was probably my first time I ever got to set in a varsity game,” Comer said. “My worst moment ever was the second time I got to set in a varsity game. The ball just hit the floor and Kaylin Adams just started screaming at me on the court.”

There are  small things that players may wish had gone different in their careers, but Comer is satisfied with how all of her seasons went because of her bond with her team.

“I would not change a thing. I have loved every second being on Harrisonburg’s volleyball team. Even when we lose it never feels like a loss because we’re always so happy,” Comer said.