Troy Volleyball Team Wins Title for Beloved Teacher

When Troy High School volleyball players felt overwhelmed by grief in the week before their championship match, teammates would remind each other with three simple words: "Play for Spence."

The phrase honored Zachary Spence, a beloved math and history teacher at Troy High School who died on October 11. The team promised to dedicate their entire season to his memory, starting with Monday's district tournament championship.

The Troy Trojans delivered on that promise, defeating rival Potlatch in four sets at the P1FCU Activity Center in Lewiston. The final scores were 24-26, 25-18, 25-21, 25-17.

"He was a really important part of the volleyball culture at Troy, and he did a lot for Troy volleyball, so we wanted to honor him," said Troy coach Deborah Blazzard. The team's dedication turned personal loss into powerful motivation.

The match started rough for Troy, who fell behind in the first set. But the Trojans found their rhythm, sparked a 9-4 run, and nearly came back before Potlatch squeaked out a 26-24 win in the opening set.

That's when something shifted. The team rallied, finding strength in their shared purpose and winning the next three sets decisively.

Why This Inspires

Sports have a unique way of bringing communities together during difficult times. What makes this story special isn't just the championship trophy but how these young athletes transformed their grief into a tribute that would make their teacher proud.

Spence clearly left a lasting impact on his students, creating a volleyball culture at Troy that extended beyond the classroom. When the players needed extra motivation, they found it in honoring someone who believed in them.

The championship win gives the Troy Trojans momentum as they advance in their season, carrying Spence's memory with them into every match. Their three-word rallying cry proves that the best way to honor someone's legacy is to live up to the values they taught us.