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TYLER -- The Russell-Tyler-Ruthton volleyball team celebrated its six seniors with a dominant performance in its final home match of the regular season, sweeping Canby 25-6, 25-6, 25-15 on senior night.
The Knights made the occasion special by starting the opening set with all six seniors on the floor, giving the group one final opportunity to play together at home. The lineup change did little to slow RTR, which controlled the match from the start.
"They played really, really well tonight," RTR head coach Britany Moser said. "They wanted it. It was their last game, with six seniors."
For Moser, who is in her first season coaching the Knights, the night carried added significance.
"As I sat and listened to my speech, I am sad that I don’t get more years with them, because they actually are such an exceptional group of girls," Moser said. "They are so talented, and they’ve had this amazing career so far in volleyball."
RTR set the tone with a commanding 25-6 victory in the opening set and followed with another 25-6 win in the second. The Knights then closed out the sweep with a 25-15 victory in the third set.
Moser said the team was motivated to finish its home schedule on a high note while celebrating its seniors.
"They wanted us to come out really strong tonight. It’s our last home game. It’s also senior night," Moser said. "When you dominate like that, it feels so good."
With the regular season home schedule complete, RTR now turns its attention to the postseason. The Knights earned the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye, giving them additional time to prepare for their playoff opener.
The extended break presents a challenge, Moser said, as the team will need to stay sharp through practices and potential scrimmages.
"Obviously, we’re going to have to make sure that we are putting in the work, and then also probably getting some scrimmages in there, too," Moser said.
RTR also plans to review film of potential opponents. Several of the teams the Knights could face early in the playoffs are opponents they have already played this season, giving them some familiarity heading into the postseason.
Moser emphasized that the Knights’ success will depend on maintaining their own style of play regardless of the opponent.
"I told them, it doesn’t matter which team is on the other side of that. We just need to play our own game, and if they do that, they’re going be unstoppable," Moser said.
After closing its home schedule with a sweep and honoring a senior class that has helped shape the program, RTR will look to carry that momentum into the playoffs.