The Whitney Young Varsity and Junior Varsity girls’ volleyball teams participated in the highly anticipated CPS City Championship this week.

The Junior Varsity had success this year, securing the CPS city championship by defeating Lane Tech in an intense three-set match. Molly Boyle, a sophomore libero on the JV team, says that she “can go to sleep now” after winning the championship. Meanwhile, the Varsity team lost to Jones College Prep. Margaret Weinberg, a junior outside and defensive specialist on the varsity team, describes the loss as “disappointing but motivating.”

This season has been particularly challenging for Whitney Young Varsity. Early on, two of their top outside players, Claudia Ouimet and Lauren Fifer, suffered ACL injuries, creating significant holes in the team’s lineup. As a result, many players had to adapt to new positions to fill these essential roles on the court. Sonia Liew, a senior libero on the Varsity team, describes the season as “turbulent.” Nevertheless, the team’s unwavering dedication is evident as they’ve been practicing since July.

Whitney Young’s volleyball program has a history of excellence, not just in girls’ but also in boys’ volleyball. Last year, the boys went down to state and won the city championship. For the past three years, the girls’ Varsity team has won the CPS city championship, making them a powerhouse in the Chicago volleyball scene.

Looking forward to next year, Lauren Fifer prepares to make a strong comeback after her recovery. For now, congratulations to the Junior Varsity team, proof of the ongoing talent within the Whitney Young volleyball program.