In Spikeball, the way the game is played is by 4 people on two teams, to start, one person serves the ball to the other team by bouncing it on the net, the receiving player hits the ball up to their partner, this partner has the choice to either spike the ball hard or to trick the other team and hit it in a different direction. This process repeats until one team cannot bounce the ball back or if they miss the net. You can only hit the ball with a tap or smack and cannot hold the ball. Also, if the ball were to hit the rim of the net a point is given to the receiving team. If the ball were to hit the pocket of the net, the play is redone and no one is penalized.

     While spikeball is usually a fun and lighthearted game, some people take it very seriously. Jackson Link is regarded as the best spikeball player in the eighth grade. Link’s partner is Lake Lytal, another eighth grader, and these two have dominated the spike ball net ever since the start of the year. This dominant duo, while superior, do have their fun and have unique celebrations to mark their victory. Jackson stated, “Lake jumps over and tries to jump on me, or either I’ll run over and

push Lake.” Even though Link and Lytal may monkey around, they are still a dominant duo. 

     Another spiker, Hudson Martin has also been dominating the seventh grade field time. Martin has paired up with Craig Doyle, another seventh grader. Martin’s and Doyle’s favorite move is the “360 noscope” where Doyle sets the ball and Hudson jumps and spins around just in time to hit it. The misdirection and pure confusion that this creates in opposing teams is what makes the move great. Martin loves to spike because he can trick his opponents because sometimes he hits it soft too. 

      Also, Martin and many others have an issue with the different Spike Balls. A common issue is that the different balls have different levels of pressure and size. Martin states, “I would change how the balls are set up. So whichever one you get on, I don’t like how you have to change the ball every once in a while.” Along with Link, “I know there’s different ball squishiness and ball sizes. Equalize all ball sizes.”

     In summation, Spikeball at TBS is a fun and exhilarating sport to be played by all grades. Jackson and Lake being the best spikers in eighth grade have made a name for themselves by dominating the nets while keeping the fun. The seventh graders, Hudson and Craig, reign over the seventh grade nets.