Gator volleyball chomps Federal Way in four sets

Published 2:04 pm Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Tides are starting to turn for Decatur High School’s volleyball team as the Gators won their third match in a row — and are on a three match win streak for the first time since 2021 — after a 3-1 win over Federal Way on Sept. 29 at Federal Way High School.

The Gators are now under head coach Kepa Cummings, and for the first time since 2021, have won six games in a season, and have beaten the Eagles for the first time since that season as well.

“It means a lot (to them). Not only in terms of a rivalry, but the girls know each other and play club together. It means a lot for Decatur pride,” Cummings said.

The players echoed that sentiment after an emotional four set victory.

“It feels great. We came out and wanted revenge and we got it,” junior Lila O’Brien said.

Since that 2021 season, Decatur volleyball has won just five matches before this season began. But with players like juniors Rania Kabuye and O’Brien stepping up, the Gators were able to weather the storm and find a way to beat Federal Way in four sets.

“They had resilience and fight all night long and didn’t give up. When they were down 7 to 8 points, they fought back and caught up. If they were up 8 points and got caught up, they maintained composure and kept fighting. I’m real proud of them for that,” Cummings said.

Decatur took set one, 25-23, and overcame a 7-1 deficit thanks to an emphatic kill from O’Brien to cut the lead to one. Decatur rode that momentum to win the first set. The first set victory was also just the second set Decatur had won against Federal Way since that 2021 season.

“I saw her leadership. I saw her leading this team. We have been struggling to have excitement and energy on the court. She was out there leading the team and keeping that excitement up,” Cummings said.

O’Brien was very visibly vocal and passionate all night. After kills and aces, she was the one bringing the team together and was by far the loudest on the floor. Especially after winning the first set of the match.

“Being a leader of the group, I have to try to push them to be their best selves,” O’Brien said.

Federal Way came out roaring in the second set and actually won it by the largest margin of any of the four sets played on Monday night, 25-11. The Eagles are off to a great start as well under second year head coach Brooks Tuilapea with a 4-3 record to start this season

“They (Federal Way) played well too. I’m not knocking them at all. They are a great team. They gave us a run for our money. It was a great match,” Cummings said about Federal Way.

Decatur showed a different type of resilience against Federal Way after the second set. In set three, Decatur took a 4-1 lead early and built that to a 19-9 advantage. The Eagles battled back and put pressure on Decatur in the set’s final points. The score was 20-19, at its closest, but Decatur hung on to win the third set, 25-22. The players took it upon themselves to find a way to win the third set and take momentum back.

“We were like, we can’t let this affect us, we had fought so hard. We put it all out on the table. We were down players and we finished,” O’Brien said.

A big reason Decatur was able to close out the match tonight was because of the play of Rania Kabuye. Listed as a middle blocker, Kabuye played almost exclusively as a right side.

“She loved it, she was on point. I didn’t have to call her for the sub. She was in the game more than she was in the middle,” Cummings said.

The story of the fourth set was once again Decatur taking an early lead leading 7-1. Federal Way looked to build some momentum, but Meilani Paige, who was excellent all night for the Eagles, left the game with an injury, which hampered the Eagles’ comeback. Decatur would finish off the final set 25-23 to secure the win.

“We’re believing in each other and really trusting in each other as a group,” O’Brien said for the team’s recent success.

Cummings has Decatur rolling and their next two matches will reveal what level Decatur is capable of reaching. They host Kentlake on Oct. 2, and then take on Enumclaw at home as well, a side they lost to in straight sets back on Sept. 9.

“They want it… I’d like to say I have something to do with it, but I don’t think I do. It’s all them. I am just orchestrating and having fun doing it,” Cummings said.