|
By Traci Liang
|
|
Sep. 22, 2008 |
|
The girls’varsity volleyball players are looking to defeat all their opponents to keeptheir champion title this year, but not before honing their bodies and theirrelationship as a team.
Despite injuries to four players last season, the varsity volleyball girls only lost one season match in the AAA season. They continued the legacy by winning the AAA championships for the twelfth year in a row in their championship game against the Lincoln Mustangs.The actual volleyball season doesn’t start until October, but the varsity girls have been warming up in preseason games. They had their first match on Sept. 4 in South Francisco against South Francisco High School. The girls lost their first game25-23, but then kicked it into high gear, winning the second game 25-22, the third game 25-6, and the fourth game 25-11.Last year seven varsity girls graduated, leaving big shoes for the rest of the team to fill. “The graduates had a lot of spirit,” middle senior Marianne Koo said. “Karrie Liu was one of our strongest hitters, and Jessica Drumright was a really smart player. Jamelle Shim and Taryn Wong had so much experience to bring to the team.”The girls strengthened their roster with the additions of juniors Allison Wasserman, Alina Werth, Crystal Lee, Megan Lee, Vanessa Kung, and Samline Santos. “I’ve been waiting to play with varsity since JV,” defensive specialist Crystal Lee said. “I’ve played with every single girl on the team before, and I’m so glad I’m on a team where everyone is so close.”This season, the varsity volleyball girls are as ready as ever to defend their title. The varsity volleyball girls conditioned during the spring and summer refining skills like hitting and blocking, as well as keeping energy high and communicating. “I think there are a lot of walls that every girl on volleyball puts up at the beginning of the season,” outside hitter senior Lorrianne Ichiyasu said. “There’s a level of trust that only rises as the season goes on.”Another area that the girls are working on is team chemistry. “Whenever a ball drops during practice, there’s a consequence,” Lee said. “Sometimes everyone just dives at once hoping there isn't going to be a consequence,” Lee said.Despite their success last year, the girls are modest about playing at their highest potential. “I guess our greatest opponent is ourselves,” Ichiyasu said. “Last year we had a tendency to play at our opponents' levels and not at the level that we know Lowell volleyball can really play at.”Girls’ varsity volleyball is anxious to prove themselves and carry on their 12-year streak. “I have a really good feeling about the team this season,” Ichiyasu said. “It doesn’t take a whole lot to keep each other entertained and have a good time. I think that's what gives us that second family sort of feel whenever we're together.”
The girls have a game today at 5:10 at Clayton Valley against Clayton Valley High School.
|
