The Palo Alto High School girls’ volleyball team (3-8, 17-11) will play crosstown rival Gunn High School (3-7, 16-12) on its Senior Night at 6:45 p.m. Thursday at home.

The Vikings’ last match against Gunn resulted in a close loss (25-21, 25-23, 25-21) and a Twitter fight over school pride. However, in light of Gunn’s recent tragedy, senior defense specialist Kabria Dame says that she hopes that the competition does not get too out of hand.

“I don’t want the competition between Gunn and Paly to overrule the volleyball spirit,” Dame said. “I also want people to come support the Gunn seniors because they deserve to be supported after their loss.”

Regardless, senior setter and right side Gillian Chryst says the team has the drive to win this game against its rival.

“We’re just really excited,” Chryst said. “We’ve been playing these girls since the beginning of high school, so it’s kind of bittersweet. They [Gunn] stole one early from us, and it was a close match even though we lost in three sets, but I definitely think that we can take them.”

Chryst also said that this game is important in order to prove that this year’s volleyball team, with a less impressive record than those of previous seasons, is still strong.

“This is the last time we can show the school and everyone that we are a good team and that we all have talent,” Chryst said.

Dame agreed, stressing the importance of Senior Night in that this match is the closing game of their years at Paly.

“This is our last game in the Big Gym, and it’s our Senior Night,” Dame said. “We need to win.”

The match will start at 6:45 p.m., but there will be commemorations for the seven seniors beforehand.