Old Rochester Students Sing National Anthem After Speaker Failure [VIDEO]

When the speakers failed before a big volleyball matchup, a group of SouthCoast student-athletes showed that spirit runs deeper than sound.

Moments before the Old Rochester Regional High School girls varsity volleyball team was set to face Apponequet, an announcement came over the loudspeaker: the National Anthem wouldn’t be played due to technical issues.

Instead of accepting the silence, the girls took matters into their own hands.

“They said we wouldn’t be playing the anthem because of speaker problems,” recalled parent Caitlyn Fontes, whose daughter Madyson is a freshman on the team. “So the entire varsity team decided to start singing. It was actually quite a beautiful moment.”

Their voices filled the gym, echoing through the crowd as parents, players, and fans stood in awe. No microphone. No background music. Just unity.

Leadership and Pride

Under the guidance of coaches Jimmy Oliveira and Ryan Grace, the Old Rochester Regional Bulldogs are known for their teamwork and resilience, and this moment was no exception.

What began as a quick decision to honor the anthem became a spontaneous act of leadership and pride that resonated across the gym.

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A Night of Victory

That same energy carried through the rest of the night. The Bulldogs dominated the court, winning all three sets against Apponequet High School in a performance that matched the strength of their voices.

For parents like Fontes, who rarely miss a game, the anthem moment was one they’ll never forget. “I support the team at every match,” she said proudly. “What they did tonight reminded everyone what true sportsmanship looks like.”