Emma Easton  

Red, white, and blue is what people see during the weekend of Presidents Day.  For many members of the PLHS Volleyball Program the sight of over one hundred volleyball courts, and the screeching sound of whistles is how they spend their weekend. 

For the past 50 years, the CHI center along with other locations have held a President’s Day Classic volleyball tournament.  Hundreds of teams from all over the country come to compete hoping to make the top 10.  Members of the volleyball program at PLHS were part of this event, and some had different experiences than others. 

The overall experience of this tournament differs due to the results of their teams, how their bracket was organized, and just their feelings in general. 

“My experience overall was great we enjoyed watching teams from all over play and compete,” Parr said.  “Our overall experience was a 10/10.” 

As the days go by, each day is a little more challenging than the other.  Tougher competition didn’t stop sophomore Mia Rathbun’s team from being extremely successful. 

“When we were down we adjusted and began to communicate even more,” Rathbun said.   

With the tournament, people have favorite parts of it.  The atmosphere is always positive and have people begging to come back the next year. 

“My favorite part was being able to play with my team against teams we have never seen before,” Parr said.  “There was a lot of tougher competition which challenged us in a good way.” 

With all the positive aspects of this tournament, some may have some feedback or ways they want to change about it. 

“Playing more teams from out of state,” Rathbun said.  “Playing the same teams we play in local tournaments isn’t as exciting.” 

When the final day comes to an end, majority of the teams enjoyed there time overall.  New teams and teams from the year before decide that their experience was thrilling enough to play again the following year. 

“Our team would for sure comeback and play in this tournament again,” Parr said. 

Presidents Day weekend comes to an end, and people begin to pack up their decorations.  But for the hundreds of teams playing in the Presidents Day Classic they say goodbye to the feel of the smooth court they had dove on to save a ball.  Say goodbye to the sound of their hand contacting the volleyballs.  Finally, they say goodbye to an amazing weekend.  These PLHS students participated in this tournament and were very successful.  Their team placed fifth in their division after giving each game their all!