After recent victories on the Monday and Tuesday before the Thanksgiving holiday, Hung Jury was crowned champion of the Loyola Intramural Volleyball League.

In the Semifinal of the Loyola Intramural Volleyball League Playoffs, first-seeded Hung Jury faced fourth-seeded Loyola Asian Student Organization, had a hard time keeping the match competitive.

“Hung Jury is a very well put together team. They did not spike the ball harder than we did or make any spectacular plays, but you could tell that they have played competitive volleyball before. They know how to work as a team,” said Samantha Lee, accounting and finance sophomore.

“This year has been successful. We were undefeated,” said Rachel Kagan, Hung Jury team captain and Loyola law junior.

Hung Jury consists of members from last year’s championship team, Motion to Spike.

“Last year half of our squad, including myself, was on Motion to Spike, common law team. We were undefeated in the Loyola Intramural League and advanced to Louisiana Collegiate Intramural Sports Association State Championship where I believe we placed fourth,” Kagan said.

Kagan explained that the other law school team, Motion to Spike, was their toughest competition due to their “key-play makers.”

However, Kagan feels that when her team plays to its potential, no other team is capable of beating them. “Three of our players have played college level volleyball, and the other four are talented and highly competitive. If we play our best game, we are a force,” Kagan said.

Despite the members of Hung Jury’s athletic background, the main reason they play intramural volleyball is the active nature of the sport. “Besides the fact that law school breeds competition, most of us play for the sheer enjoyment of being active. We are grateful to Loyola for giving its graduate students an opportunity to compete in the intramural leagues, and the break from studying is highly appreciated,” Kagan said.

On the court the team has no star player; rather, each member of Hung Jury has his or her own role. According to Kagan, the key to success of Hung Jury is that each player is allowed to play his or her own position and focus solely on that. By doing so, the team functions better as a whole.

“If everyone does his or her role, then the team’s success will continue,” Kagan said.

As the captain of Hung Jury, Kagan, has added responsibilities. “(I have) to keep the team up when we get discouraged. Volleyball is a lot like golf. Once you get down on yourself, you lose focus; and it goes downhill from there. I also try to keep my team focused and allow them to enjoy themselves,” Kagan said.

Students interested in intramural volleyball or any intramural sport should contact Zachary Bracey at [email protected] or visit imleagues.com.

Richard Dempsey can be reached at [email protected]