Olympian High School clinched its fourth volleyball championship in a thrilling match against El Camino High School, overcoming a challenging start to the season. On October 28, 2023, Olympian secured the Division III title with a decisive 20-25, 25-10, 25-21, 25-21 victory at Montgomery High School.
Early in the season, Olympian faced adversity, recording a seven-match losing streak and entering the CIF girls volleyball playoffs as the No. 7 seed. Despite these setbacks, the team demonstrated resilience and strategic prowess. Coach Yvette Macias emphasized the importance of defense, stating, “I tell my girls all the time that defense wins games. We love a big offense, but at the end of the day, we’ve got to pick up that ball.”
The Eagles showcased a balanced attack, led by middle blocker Jade Araujo, who tallied 13 kills. Teammates Annabelle Johnson and Nyssa Dickson contributed nine kills each, while Tierrah Santana and Annette Olaoye each added seven. Olaoye also made her mark at the net with five blocks.
El Camino started strong, taking an early lead in the first set and winning it 25-20. However, the momentum shifted in the second set as Olympian surged ahead, turning an 11-9 lead into a commanding 17-10 advantage. The Eagles closed the set with a nine-point run, showcasing their determination. Senior libero Keilana Cruz highlighted their mental approach, saying, “Something about us is that we just don’t remind ourselves of the past; we think of the future when we’re playing.”
In the third set, El Camino briefly took a 19-18 lead, but a series of critical plays by Araujo propelled the Eagles to victory. Olympian established a strong 9-2 lead in the fourth set, though El Camino countered with an eight-point run. Ultimately, Dickson and Olaoye’s performance at the net proved too much for El Camino, allowing the Eagles to secure the championship.
El Camino’s performance, led by Grace Houston with 13 kills and Brooke Stark with 12, was commendable, despite the loss. Coach Alex Pukahi praised his team’s accomplishments, stating, “We won 30-plus games. We won league. So to not hold their heads down. We had a great season, and I’m proud of that.”
Santa Fe Christian Dominates in Division II Championship
In the Division II championship match, top-seeded Santa Fe Christian showcased a powerful performance against No. 2 Patrick Henry, winning decisively with scores of 25-12, 25-13, 25-19. Freshman Nariah Johnson led the Eagles with 19 kills, capitalizing on a well-rounded offensive strategy.
Santa Fe Christian maintained control throughout the match, with a strong middle attack supported by seniors Mali Carroll and Autumn Ermanis, who combined for eight kills and four blocks. Coach Megan Lawley noted the team’s strategic adjustments, stating, “If we want to win a championship, we’ve got to use our middles. They did an incredible job today.”
Patrick Henry’s efforts were led by senior Alyssa Chu, who recorded 12 kills. Despite the loss, Coach David Chau expressed pride in his team’s journey, emphasizing the hard work that brought them to the championship match.
Both teams demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, contributing to an exciting day of high school volleyball in Montgomery. The championships not only highlighted individual talents but also underscored the importance of teamwork and resilience in the face of adversity.
