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Columbus — The 2023 season for the Briggs Bruins volleyball team had all the makings of a Disney fairytale, packed with drama, grit, and the hope of a storybook ending. Down two sets to none in the Columbus City League Championship against Whetstone, it seemed like the tale might be over for the Bruins. But as Head Coach Herbert Sharfenaker reminded his players, “Forget the past, work on the next ball, and finish strong,” the team found its spark.

In an electrifying comeback, the Bruins rallied, claiming the next two sets to force a decisive fifth. The crowd held its breath as momentum shifted with every point, the possibility of a historic triumph hanging in the air. With everything on the line, Briggs was within reach of writing an unforgettable ending to their season—a journey that pushed them to the brink of heartbreak and triumph.

This was a night where dreams collided with determination. The question remained: would their fight be enough to rewrite history? The answer, in the end, was heartbreak. Just two points separated the Briggs Bruins from the city championship, but it wasn’t their moment. Instead, they stood on the court and watched as the Whetstone Lady Braves hoisted the trophy, the victory slipping through their fingers. The scene, while devastating, wasn’t the end of their story—it was the spark.

That night, a fire ignited in the hearts of the Bruins, a fire that’s still burning as they prepare to rewrite history in 2024. The pain of coming so close has turned into fuel, driving them to reclaim the championship that eluded them. For the Bruins, it’s no longer about what could have been, but about the revenge they plan to take and the glory they are determined to seize this season.

At Briggs, there is no “me” in team. Coach Sharfenaker constantly drives this message home to his players: “If we are not playing as one, which we have been this season, our team success will be gone. I always refer to ‘we’ over ‘me’; this is critical in remembering that we are a team passionate for success.”

That mindset has been the foundation of their strong 2024 season. The Bruins sit at a scorching 14-1, boasting a perfect 10-0 league record. Now, as they enter the final stretch of their regular season, their magic number to return to the Columbus City Championship sits at 2. Just two more wins out of their remaining three division games will punch their ticket back to the championship game, where they hope to finish what they started last season.

Every successful team has a cornerstone, a player that the rest of the squad builds around. For the Bruins, that foundation is senior Rose Sanabria-Nieves. “She runs the show,” says Coach Sharfenaker. “She is the glue to the team and is like the mom of the team.”

Surrounding her is a formidable group of teammates, including Senior Outside Hitter Josie Sloan and Juniors Janiah Strong, Eva Lizardo, Jasmine Truss, and libero Kinsey Rife. Yet, Sharfenaker is quick to remind everyone that it’s not just about the standout names: “They all bring something different to this team. The rest of the players play a big role and have been awesome. They get into the match, which further fuels the fire to win.”

Another powerful source of motivation for the Bruins is their close relationship with the boys’ volleyball program at Briggs. Coach Sharfenaker highlights this mutual support: “Our boys’ and girls’ teams push each other. When one wins a title, the other wants it just as bad. They feed off that energy, consistently driving each other to be better. Hard work pays off—both in the classroom and on the court—that’s a philosophy both teams live by.”

Even with their impressive record, every season has its turning points or moments when key trends emerge. For the Bruins, these have surfaced during critical stretches where they’ve struggled to maintain momentum or faced a surge from their opponents. “There have been matches where we were down, but we showed that ‘don’t give up’ mentality and came back to take the lead,” Coach Sharfenaker says. “And when the other team starts to make a run, we stop their momentum, battle through adversity, and come out on top.”

In practice, the Bruins are constantly pushed to reach their full potential, focusing on areas that could be game-changers. Coach Sharfenaker emphasizes the significance of practice and how it translates to success on the court: “Our philosophy is to compete every day in practice with a never-give-up mentality. This mindset has elevated our program. I tell our players, if you want something, work for it and earn it. They’ve embraced that, hitting the ground running with hard work, determination, and grit.”

Where the Bruins can improve is best explained by Coach Sharfenaker himself, who knows his team better than anyone: “We need to continue to work on our out of system swings. We sometimes get lackadaisical and just want to play an easy free ball over, when we should be aggressive so we can put the pressure on their defense. We have been working on that and it has been improving.”

As for the goals of the program, Coach Sharfenaker lists them with the excitement of a child rattling off a Christmas list to Santa. But he always circles back to the same core message about how they’ll get there. “While we have long-term goals, like winning the South Division, a City Championship, and advancing to the District Round of the State Tournament, it’s crucial to take everything one step at a time—starting with practice and each match.”

He emphasizes that facing adversity is part of the journey: “When adversity strikes, it’s important to remember that your coaches and teammates are there to support you, whether it’s during practice, matches, or in life. That’s the critical stepping stone to achieving our goals by season’s end.”

The 2023 season concluded with adversity, heartbreak, and a fire that continues to burn brightly for the Bruins. In 2024, their camaraderie, relentless drive for greatness, and moments of resilience highlight that their success is rooted in more than just talent—it’s their grit and determination to overcome challenges that truly sets them apart.

These qualities have molded the Bruins into a team ready to face any obstacle. With a candid and grounded approach, they remain laser-focused on their path to success, both on and off the court, determined to turn past heartache into future triumph.