School spirit was at a peak at Shelbyville High School Wednesday night as teams squared off in the third annual boys interclass volleyball competition.

The seniors earned a hard-fought come-from-behind victory over the defending champion class of 2026 squad in the championship round to claim the crown. They will move on to face a team comprised of SHS faculty this week at a school pep session.

The event was sponsored by the Shelbyville High School Student Athletic Advisory Council.

“The athletic advisory council was started a few years ago to promote athletic participation and support for Golden Bear sports,” said varsity baseball and strength coach Royce Carlton, who along with girls basketball head coach Becca Hoefler, sponsors the group. “Our goal is to create a positive sports environment and encourage enthusiasm for school athletics.”

The student advisory council meets monthly during the school year to discuss topics and make suggestions and recommendations that relate to Golden Bear athletics.

“Each SHS sport selects two athletes to be part of the council,” said Carlton. “We also utilize the group to promote leadership skills. Designated members of the council attend conferences that offer lectures and activities designed to develop a leadership mentality.”

The seniors dominated the freshmen 25-6 in the opening contest behind the consistent serving of Reece Carlton.

The sophomores and juniors battled down to the wire with the sophomores, led by Aiden Smith and Corbin Martin, pulling out a one-point win in the night’s second match. Gavin Fisher and Corbin Deck spearheaded a valiant effort by the junior class.

The championship match was a thriller with the defending champs jumping out to a 5-0 lead behind the strong net play of Smith, before the seniors gathered themselves. The sophomores held a commanding 22-17 lead and appeared headed for a title repeat.

Brock Kuhn, Kohen Myers and Luke Brinkman initiated the senior comeback and the score became knotted at 23. The teams traded points and the match was tied at 24. The sophomores failed to return Carlton’s serve on the final point and the seniors celebrated a 25-24 victory.

“We lost two years in a row so getting this win was sweet,” said Brinkman. “We had a real team effort that was responsible for the comeback. (Ethan) Lambert, (Luke) Jackson, (Axel) Conover and everyone else contributed, and Carlton did a great job serving.”

“We made mistakes early but just focused on keeping the ball in play after that bad start,” said Myers. “Smith is very tough at the net so it took all of us working together to get this done.”

The SHS girls volleyball team provided coaching for the teams and also served as officials and line judges.

“The teams all practiced a couple of times before the matches and really worked to get better,” said Royce Carlton.

Proceeds from the event will provide Christmas gifts for children in need.

“This is always a good-natured but somewhat intense competition,” stated Carlton. “Everyone wants to win. It makes for a fun night and is excellent for promoting morale and participation at Shelbyville High School.”