Photo story: Images from a state championship winning season
With pictures from the sidelines to the stands, student journalist and photographer, Akhilan Kumaran, documented the CSD women’s varsity volleyball team’s journey to becoming state champions.
After the 3-0 victory, the Spartans Varsity volleyball team, along with the coaching staff, poses for a picture with their championship banner and the State Championship trophy.
With pictures from the sidelines to the stands, student journalist and photographer, Akhilan Kumaran, documented the CSD women’s varsity volleyball team’s journey to becoming state champions.
Lila English (‘26) sets up Rory Boyle (‘27) for a slide attack maneuvered around the blockers. The Spartans breezed to a 3-0 victory over Liberty Prep on September 19, 2025. (Akhilan Kumaran)
Kennedy Donley (‘26) scores a point by tipping the ball over the Liberty Prep blockers. Throughout her senior season, Donley scored 122 total kills with her crafty tips and vicious swings. (Akhilan Kumaran)
Brielle Kinsey (‘26) solo blocks an attack from Cornerstone Charter in the Spartans’ last home game of the season. In her final varsity season, Kinsey blocked a total of 64 attacks to go along with her 213 kills. (Akhilan Kumaran)
The home crowd applauds as CSD secures a win over Cornerstone Charter Academy in the fourth set. The Spartans fought over a tight final set, bringing the game to a close with a 25-23 finish. CSD’s victory over Cornerstone Charter Academy meant that the Spartans were declared the 2A State Regional Champions on October 28, 2025. (Akhilan Kumaran)
Varsity coach Betsy Miller holds the 2A Regional Champions trophy aloft as her team celebrates around her. While the victory over Cornerstone Charter Academy was exciting, the team still had the State championship game left on Saturday, November 1, 2025. (Akhilan Kumaran)
After securing the 2A Regional Championship, the Spartans volleyball team had a few days to rest and train before they hit the road for NC State, where the state championship game was being held. Team members were given a sendoff, complete with applause and posters, at the front of the school when they left early to make sure they could rest before their big game. Travelling Spartan fans carpooled and booked train tickets, hoping for the chance to see their team win their final challenge.
The air was thick with anticipation inside NC State’s Reynolds Coliseum on the morning of November 1, 2025. CSD played against Perquimans County High School, the Eastern Regional Champions, for the state championship. Both teams waited as the match referees made sure that the team rosters were ready. (Akhilan Kumaran)
Coach Betsy Miller outlines the game plan for her team during a timeout huddle. While CSD was ahead for a majority of all three sets, there were moments where they fell behind and needed to pull back the momentum. The Spartans were able to secure a 3-0 victory against the Perquimans Pirates. (Akhilan Kumaran)
After the 3-0 victory, the Spartans Varsity volleyball team, along with the coaching staff, poses for a picture with their championship banner and the State Championship trophy. “I was really proud of everyone’s understanding of and dedication to their role on the team,” Elena Cunningham (‘27), varsity team member, said when reflecting on the team’s victory. “Winning States felt amazing because we had been working all season on believing in ourselves, and that got us as far as we could go.” (Akhilan Kumaran)
Akhilan Kumaran is a senior who has been at CSD since 8th grade. His time at CSD is the longest he’s been at one school. Akhilan loves to get involved with his school community through tutoring math and other subjects. He also co-founded a club with two other students during his junior year, the Allied Achievers and Comrades Association (AACA). He’s looking forward to leading the club in his final year at CSD.
Outside of school, Akhilan loves watching and analyzing movies. He’s even written his own screenplay. Some of his favorite movies include “Inglorious Basterds,” “Chinatown,” “Aftersun” and “Punch Drunk Love.” He is constantly looking for new movies to watch.
This is Akhilan’s first year as a student journalist. He looks forward to being able to write engaging stories about CSD and the students, and learning and improving his writing skills.
Quote: “As little as possible.” – “Chinatown”
Walk-up song: Electric Avenue, – Eddy Grant
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