In their home opener, Thomas Worthington boys volleyball secured a solid win defeating their rival, Worthington Kilbourne, and starting the season with a strong statement. The Cardinals steady play set the tone early and carried them from start to finish. After the match, players reflected on how the team performed against Kilbourne.

“I thought it was a good win, even though we as a team knew that we could’ve played much better,” said Annav Samrat, TWHS senior.

The rivalry added another layer of intensity to the match, and the players acknowledged what the victory meant.

“It feels great, yeah. I love coming to play them every year,” senior Curt Buddie said. “They definitely bring the heat, but we know how to handle them pretty well.”

As the Cardinals looked back on the match, they pointed out some key moments that shaped the outcome.

“I’d say our switch between the third and fourth set was a big momentum shift because we definitely locked in after dropping the third set.” said senior, Matt Lacher.

With the win behind them, the Cardinals also looked ahead to what the victory could mean for the rest of the season. 

“This win for us is another step forward to eventually getting back to the state championship game in May.” Samrat said.

With a rivalry win to open their season, the Cardinals have already shown the focus and determination that will carry them into tougher matches ahead. The team’s early confidence reflects both their goals and their belief in what they can accomplish together. As the season unfolds, Thomas Worthington looks prepared to build on this momentum and continue pushing toward a return to the state championship.