A smack echoed around the gym for the last time as the volleyball bounced off the hardwood, signifying the end of the match. A roar erupted from the Wakefield Wackos as their women’s volleyball team beat Leesville High School with a score of 3-2. The currently 2nd ranked Wolverines are at the top of table with eight wins and only two losses in conference.

Head Coach Cynthia Terrell feels great about her team and future success this season, but believes that nothing will come easily.

“The Cap 8 is one of the toughest conferences in the Eastern part of the Carolinas,” Terrrel said. “Anyone can win at any time. We have to be ready to play with the caliber of teams we are up against.”

Even with the tough schedule, Wakefield has found success and will show promise come playoffs.

“Our chances at playoffs are excellent,” Terrell said. “The seeding will be a big part of it but I think we are going to fare well as long as we keep our good team chemistry through the postseason.”

Terrell is not the only one who feels strongly about the team’s success. Senior captain Gentry Benda has had high hopes for her team since the beginning.

“I predicted that we would be second in the conference right behind Broughton and our only loss would be to Broughton, which are in fact both true.” Benda said.

Even with such success, changes can still be made.

“The only thing that I would want to change is to keep Ade in for 6 rotations so I can set her in the back row as well,” Benda said. “She is an asset anywhere on the court.”

Junior Adeola Owokoniran, a member of the Wakefield Volleyball team, has been making her mark this year and is currently leading the Cap 8 in kills this season with 262. Sometimes star players might get frustrated with their teammates, but this is not the case with Owokoniran.

“I am always happy with the level of play my teammates bring even if we lose,” Owokoniran said. “We were all put on that team for a reason and I believe that everyone plays their part the best they can. A great athlete is one who can adapt to any situation they are put in and come out winning in the end. I know that everyone on my team is one of these athletes.”

Two strong players on a strong team speak highly of their teammates, proving the class that these ladies have cultivated amongst themselves.

Not everything about the Wakefield Volleyball team’s success is played out on the court. Wild and untamed, the Wackos bring powerful support and team spirit to the girls’ volleyball games, something unable to be matched by opposing schools.

“The Wackos are our seventh person on the court and are such a welcome sight because it is so important to have support,” said Terrell, “To see such a big group of students who are so enthusiastic about the sport come and support us is really great and we are always excited to see them.”

Even with the disruptive nature of the Wackos, the lady Wolverines are always excited to have them.

“We love it'” Junior volleyball team memeber Paige Assa said.  “It brings energy to the games and we feed off of it. They keep us motivated.” .

The Wackos feed off the high power offense of the Wolverines’ play, making Adeola a crowd favorite.

“I think they just like that I hit hard but in all seriousness we love having them there and they bring a lot of energy to the court,” Owokoniran said. “It really can change the course of the game based on the energy of the crowd. They have been a key part of our winning season.”

The Wakefield Volleyball team is a force to be reckoned with throughout the rest of the season and the whole school is rooting for their success.

“All teams can improve but we are going to continue to improve our team chemistry, attitude, and passing game,” Terrell said. “Everyone on the team loves each other and they are just a great group of girls to work with.”