Smyrna volleyball prepares for historic championship match

SMYRNA, Del. – Smyrna volleyball is a team making history. Not just for their program, or even the Henlopen Conference, but for the state of Delaware.

The Eagles defeated Caesar Rodney in straight sets Monday at the University of Delaware to claim a spot in the DIAA girls volleyball championship Thursday night. Smyrna is the first team from the Henlopen Conference to make it to the championship in the sport’s history. They could also become the first public school to win the DIAA volleyball title in the past three decades.

This is a team who deserves to be on this stage. They sport an impressive 18-1 overall record with their only loss in five sets to St. Mark’s.

There are five seniors on the roster who went to the state quarterfinals last year, and were hungry for more in 2023.

“I told the girls right before we went out, tonight’s an historic night. And one of us is going to move forward to the next step, which is the finals. It’s either going to be CR or it’s going to be Smyrna, it’s up to you,” Smyrna head coach Daniel Wandless said of their semifinal victory over conference-rival Caesar Rodney. “Most of (the Henlopen) can compete with the upstate schools. We’re satisfied and happy that we are the first ones to break through the doors.”

The Eagles now prepare for Thursday night. There will be a send off at Smyrna High school in the afternoon as the team makes the trip to Newark for their clash with Ursuline.

Senior Anna Richardson says the team will have the same mentality as any other game when they take the floor.

” I think we’re going to be grateful and happy that we’ve made it this far no matter the result, because it’s history for us and the state in general. So, I think we’re really going to take it one set at a time, and know that we’re still family, and that we’re still with each other and grateful for this opportunity.”