The PV volleyball team boasts their 5A state championship trophy on Thursday, November 4th.
PV’s persistent efforts dominate fall sports
Over the duration of the 2021 Iowa high school fall sports season, many of PV’s athletics programs have risen to the top, defeating several competitors in the area.
After a rocky start to the football season, the Spartans found footing and noted valuable wins against Dubuque Senior (28-14) and 11th ranked Cedar Falls (42-14).
Although gaining confidence and chemistry does not always come easily, senior S.J. Brecht provided insight on PV’s huddle during Friday night football games. “Coach Van always gets us hyped up for the game, standing out on the field, representing my team… It is something I will never forget,” Brecht said. “That being said, I do my best to motivate my teammates and build confidence prior to our games.”
Battling in the quarterfinals Friday evening, the Spartans faced West Des Moines Valley and second-ranked tight end in the nation, Notre Dame commit Eli Raridon.
Setting the stage for winter sports at PV, the women’s volleyball team recorded the program’s first-ever 5A state championship in school history, adding a third tally to PV’s 2021 state champion teams.
Sweeping the Cedar Falls Tigers (26-6) in the 5A state championship, the Spartans (33-4) were led by an experienced fleet of seniors.
PV middle blocker Alexa Frankel, depicted what it was like to win her first-ever state championship as a Spartan. “You know, playing for this team has provided me with many opportunities and I have loved finding success within my teammates,” Frankel expressed. “Through our highs and lows, we should collectively be proud of the fact that we are the first ever PV volleyball state champions.”
In retrospect, PV has found every way possible to bring home a state championship over the course of the 2021 school year.
In addition to the football and volleyball’s success, the girls cross country squad was points away from winning a state title. Having lost by only 24 points, the lady Spartans were without Grace Boleyn who underwent a leg injury midway through the race.
With all eyes on PV athletics this year, fall sports have yet to budge from the top of Iowa’s list of top teams in the state. Battling adversity, building chemistry and having loads of fun, PV is the school to beat when it comes to high school athletics!
Preksha Kedilaya – Campus Captures
Preksha Kedilaya
Major: Biomedical science
After graduating from Pleasant Valley High School amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Preksha Kedilaya chose to pursue an undergraduate degree in biomedical science from the University of Iowa. She chose the school because of the opportunities it provides to medical students, the in-state tuition and the scholarships she was receiving from the university.
Kedilaya enjoys many aspects of The University of Iowa, including the university’s diversity in socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures, and nationalities. She wants the number of activities, societies and clubs a person can join and the number of opportunities given to students in their major—especially medicine majors through research, volunteering and work.
Kedilaya believes that PVHS did not prepare her for university, as the academics differ from high school. Many classes are significantly more demanding and require more time out of the classroom than regular high school classes. “I could barely study for tests and do fine on the exam in high school, but in college, I have to plan out weeks in advance and make a study plan if I want to do well in university,” she said.
Along with studying, Kedilaya found other things to pass her time. Her favorite part of university life has been being involved with clubs, as she has made many memorable connections and friendships. Preksha is the President of the Iowa Agni, a multicultural acapella group and the Vice President of operations of the South Asian Student Alliance, and the Vice president of Habitats for Humanities. “I recommend joining student organizations because it is essential to meet people and student organizations provide a way to meet different people,” she shared.
She has made new friendships and learned about many new cultures through these activities. She has also reconnected with her Indian culture. Through the South Asian Student Alliance, she started listening to and enjoying Bollywood music and cooking Indian food.
After completing her degree in biomedical science, Preksha plans to go to school again to become a Physician’s Assistant.