The biggest FHN boys volleyball game of the season will go down at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 7. The Knights will take on the FHC Spartans in a bout that will determine the champion of the Gateway Athletic Conference.

“This is a huge game for us,” senior hitter Gabe Grote said, “especially because it’s for the conference championship. We’ve beaten them two times before in this season, and we’re looking to repeat that success.”

On the season, the Knights are 23-5 with a 10-1 record in the conference, and the Spartans are 20-8-2 with the same 10-1 conference record. FHN has taken both of the prior meetings between these two teams with two 2-1 victories on April 14 and April 18. Both of those games were near the beginning of the season, so, predictably, there has been a lot of change between these two squads. For the Knights, their strengths currently lie in their hitting and blocking, while they are not the best with giving and returning serves. The Spartans, on the other hand, are very good at returning serves and getting the ball into a position where it can be knocked back over the net, but they are a bit lacking in blocking.

“Our biggest challenge will be making consistent serves,” junior hitter Austin Price said, “but I think we’ll play a very solid fundamental game of volleyball. We should get ahead early and finish off the win.”

The Knights come into this match riding a seven-game winning streak, playing three games in consecutive days and winning their last match against Pattonville on May 6 by a score of two games to one. The Knights won the first game 25-19; they dropped the second game 26-24; and they dominated in the third game, winning 25-8. The Spartans have lost two of their last four games, the most recent being a defeat at the hands of SLUH 2-1. This loss could either demoralize or inspire the Spartans, and the entire Knights team is on guard for the latter option.

“We’re extremely confident,” senior setter Adam Rogan said, “and we should win. We need to come out strong, be loud and stay aggressive. We need everyone to come out and watch and support us.”

Rogan hit the point that the FHN coach, Ryan VonFeldt, and the entire Knights team has been trying to make- they need as many fans to come out and support them as possible. This is the last match of the season for both teams, and the winner of this match will win their conference, giving them a big advantage come time for Districts and the rest of the postseason. FHN has the advantage of being on their home court, and they’re relying very heavily on their fans to come out to support and aid them in their quest to win this match. Both teams, though, have a great opportunity to win this match and the conference title, and both teams will come out trying their hardest to set the tone and win the match. No matter what the outcome, this is sure to be a great match between two very good teams.

“This match is going to show what we’re made of,” Grote said. “Districts are right around the corner, and entering on a huge win streak will give us a lot of momentum. This is going to be a huge match to end the season.”

If you can’t be at the match to support your team, you can watch the live stream of the match at FHNtoday.com/live.