The Pittsylvania County Youth Volleyball League is hosted at New Testament Baptist Church for players in grades 4-12. The A-League for grades 9-12 is made up of 10 teams, four of which had a majority of Tunstall students: Red, Graphite, White, and Pink.
Unfortunately, due to weather, PCYVL canceled the tournament for the 2025-2026 season. They stated that the regular season rankings would be final. This put the Red team in first place and Green as the runner-ups. Many players and coaches are disappointed that the games played on Senior Day would be the last of the season.
Senior Carleigh Setliff has played for Red team since third grade. Her favorite things about volleyball are seeing the same people she has grown up with and having fun playing. Setliff’s favorite memory is when she makes a good play on the net without realizing it. She won the Chris Henderson Scholarship through PCYVL. “It gave me a confidence boost I think I needed after going virtual,” Setliff said. On her senior night she “truly did feel so special and loved.”
Senior Nicholette Matzganis spent three years playing for team Graphite. She signed up because her older sister played, and she became interested. She “ended up absolutely loving it.” She will miss the friendships she has developed, the amount of support she gained, and the joy volleyball has brought her.
Junior Clara Mills has played volleyball for seven years. This was her second year playing for the Red team. Her favorite thing about playing for PCYVL is getting to meet new people and playing volleyball. Mills believes that her team has significantly improved and have learned to play together well. She loves the competition and the team she’s on.
Sophomore Shelby Thompson’s first year playing volleyball was for team Graphite. She said that her favorite thing about playing for PCYVL is bonding with new people. “I’m honestly very sad about it being canceled, but I understand why and I hope that we all play again and make it to the next one!” Thompson said.
The championship was a huge deal for the players and coaches, but most understand that it was to ensure the safety of everyone. Aliyah Fitz, Graphite’s coach, believed canceling was the best option for safety. Matzganis stated, “I feel it should have been rescheduled again instead of being canceled completely.”
While the decision of ending the season was made intending safety of players, coaches, and families, many believe it could have been pushed to a later date; additionally, players lost the opportunity to compete to improve their rank and end the season how they wanted to with their teammates.
