The Charles Henderson High School varsity volleyball team is in need of some momentum to close out the season.

The Trojans started the season off with a bang, before struggling down the stretch recently.

“We started out with a couple of wins, and one of those was an area win,” said head coach Jennifer Sikes. “We dropped a few matches lately, and need to continue to come together as a team.”

The Trojans sit with a 4-4 record, and look to improve this weekend at their own tournament. Charles Henderson will host the Lady Trojan Tournament at the Troy Parks and Recreation Department this Saturday.

Clarke County, Carroll of Ozark and Goshen are just a few of the teams that will look to knock off the home standing Trojans. Sikes hoped a strong performance in the tournament will give the Trojans the lift they need.

“It gives the opportunity to play some quality 4A and 5A competition,” said Sikes. “We will need to play well to guarantee us more than two games in the tournament.”

One of the tournament teams, Goshen, holds a special place in Sikes’ heart. Goshen coach Dee Hughes is a battling cancer for a second time. Hughes is a close, personal friend of Sikes their relationship goes back a ways.

“We went to school together,” said Sikes. “She is a great person, and an inspiration to not only the girls, but for everyone in the area.”

Charles Henderson has played their home matches with a pink and white volleyball in honor of Hughes’ fight against breast cancer.

“I ordered a couple of pike and white balls earlier this season and told the girls that Dee was having another bought with the cancer,” said Sikes. “The girls were all onboard and it’s just a little something that we wanted to do.”

Sikes couldn’t help but smile when asked about the possibility of a Goshen vs. Charles Henderson championship game using one of the pink balls.

“Dee and Amy (Warrick) do a great job with those girls over at Goshen,” Sikes said. “To be able to play in a championship game against them, with our special ball would be just awesome.”