The Otago Girls' High School year 13 volleyball team has managed just that.
It won the Otago senior boys schools competition, beating Otago Boys' High School 2-0 in the final on Friday.
After going one set up, it rallied with a second-set comeback to clinch the win.
Captain Hannah Moore said the boys ''weren't too happy'' to have lost.
However, she felt the team had gained respect over the years, having been playing against the boys since year 10.
''They definitely started kind of like 'why are we playing the girls?','' she said.
''But as it went on they just began to play their hardest because they wanted to beat us.
''It was always like 'we can't lose to the girls'.''
While doing most of that with the school's senior A team, the year 13s were unable to play for the top team in term four of their final year.
They decided to enter a ''social'' team in the boys grade instead to cap an impressive five years.
It had not been an instant success, though.
After losing ''nearly every game'' in year 9, the team put in plenty of work and were helped by coach Jock Murley.
Since moving into the boys grade the team has always been competitive, while dominating the girls grade.
The year 13 group also made up the bulk of the team which won its way into the top division of the national championships - a rarity for an Otago school.
It played in that this year and after entering as the 32nd seed, it went on to finish seventh.
''The people from the North Island just really weren't expecting us to go as well as we did.
''It was good showing them that we could do it - everyone knows in Dunedin you don't get much quality game time.''
The biggest difference between the top North Island sides and Otago Girls' had been the consistency of quality opposition. Moore said it was clear the North Island teams were used to playing long, tough games.
While the team was leaving school, it might not be the last time they are on court together.
The majority are remaining in Dunedin to study and will play for the Scorpions club.
