East Volleyball Nets Season-Opening Win Over Highlanders JV

Olympians show grit and determination in four-set victory to start the year.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Columbus East High School volleyball team overcame a mid-match tie to control the final two sets and defeat the Floyd Central JV squad 25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 25-23 in their season opener. Despite having many new players on the team, the Olympians displayed strong chemistry and communication to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This win to start the season gives the young East team confidence and momentum heading into a busy six-week stretch with nearly two dozen matches. The Olympians will look to build on this opening triumph as they aim to compete for a conference title and make a deep postseason run.

The details

After the match was tied 1-1, East took control by winning the final two sets to claim the victory. Junior libero Trevor Ernst praised the team's determination and grit, while head coach Kailey Davidson highlighted the squad's eagerness to learn and win despite their lack of experience. Key contributors included Kash Coers with 18 assists and five aces, David Sylva with seven kills, Eli Shafer with seven blocks, and Jax Branaman with four digs and three aces.

  • The match took place on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
  • East's next contest is on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at Perry Meridian.

The players

Kailey Davidson

The head coach of the Columbus East High School volleyball team.

Trevor Ernst

The junior libero and one of the most experienced players returning to the Columbus East volleyball team.

Kash Coers

A player for Columbus East who led the team with 18 assists and five aces in the season-opening victory.

David Sylva

A player for Columbus East who recorded seven kills in the win over Floyd Central JV.

Eli Shafer

A player for Columbus East who had seven blocks in the match.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“One thing I can say about this group, there is 13 of them, and they may not have the most experience, but the fight and chemistry they had is absolutely insane. They're eager to learn. They're eager to win, and they said it from the jump (Monday) at the beginning of practice that they didn't care who we played, they were going to fight, and they were going leave it out on the floor, and I think tonight really proved that.”

— Kailey Davidson, Head Coach

“I'm super proud of these guys, and we've seen a lot of growth already in practice. Really from the beginning, these guys showed a lot of determination and grit, and I'm definitely blessed to be a part of this team.”

— Trevor Ernst, Junior Libero

“That first win, it is a big one. It gives us confidence. We know what we need to improve on still but it is a good place to start off this season.”

— Trevor Ernst, Junior Libero

What’s next

The Olympians will be on the road for the next couple weeks and have close to two dozen matches still to play in a six-week timeframe. The next contest for East is Thursday at Perry Meridian.

The takeaway

This season-opening victory showcases the determination and potential of the young Columbus East volleyball squad. Despite having many new players, the Olympians displayed strong chemistry, communication, and a willingness to fight that will serve them well as they navigate a busy schedule and aim to compete for a conference title and postseason success.