The Metamora volleyball team adds to that schools hardware department, winning the Jacksonville tournament this past weekend.

The Lady Redbirds game reaches new heights in Jacksonville. Metamora took an unbeaten record into that prestigious tournament, so they were already a formidable team...but something clicked on the way to the championship.

"Our setting definitely got better and I think we were just more consistent at everything we did," said Metamora volleyball coach Karla Bartman.
"Our hitting, our passing was great, and then as we started defeating some of the good teams, we just gained confidence."

"Our team chemistry, like, really came together and we started to play more together and we started to have faith in each other and that really helped us out on the court, ‘cuz it just brought us together and we played well as a team," said Metamora senior Sam Kapraun.

The Redbirds turnaround almost turned into a dead end when their team bus broke down on the way to Jacksonville. They had to rely on the kindness of a conference rival to get there.

"We thought Washington was ahead of us so when they pulled up everyone just started screaming," said Bartman.
"It was great. They pulled up and were just like our saviors. It was a pretty exciting ride to the high school in Jacksonville. They kinda saved the day for us."

The Lady Birds have another road trip in mind...after falling one match short a year ago, they want the bus to take them all the way to the state tournament at Redbird Arena.

"Being a senior and this being my 4th year, that was the closest we’ve ever gotten," said Angela Rego.
" I was heartbroken when we didn’t make it. This year is our year, I think, to do that, and I’m so pumped. You know, with the juniors stepping up I think we have an amazing team. It’s gonna be a lot of work, but I think this is our year to do it and you have no idea how pumped I am to get there and see how it turns out."