Girls’ Volleyball players, Novice and Junior Varsity line up, holding out roses followed by supportive signs as they welcome the seniors. On Oct. 24, the BVH Lady Barons Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team played their senior night game against Mater Dei Catholic High School (MDHS). The game focused on the senior members of the team, and all the progress they have made over the years. BVH Chemistry Teacher and Girls’ Varsity Volleyball and Lacrosse Coach Ahmad Rice expresses how he felt before the game started.
“I was pretty excited because novice had done really well in their game and the energy was really high. They were doing well especially because of the senior night, so the same energy transferred over to the girls varsity team, just in a different way,” Rice said.
The pre-game celebration included pre-recorded speeches from each of the seniors before they were welcomed by the crowd. Parents and students cheered, as the three varsity volleyball players took pictures with their families. Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Outside and Right Side and senior Anay’ja Ayres (8) expresses her feelings on her senior night experience.
“I was feeling sad, because this is going to be our last game playing together. It was [also] our last home game and our senior night. I felt sad and happy at the same time, because my family and friends were there,” Ayres said.
Once the introductory portion of the night came to an end, the area was cleared, and both teams began warming up. The game started off strong for Mater Dei, with a four point lead. Although BVH fought hard, MDHS maintained the lead all throughout the first set, with Mater Dei’s 44 hitting (spiking) the ball over the net in the play that ended the set at a score of 25-21.
“We lost the first set, so even though we had those same challenges [staying consistent] in the first set, because the game was so close. Because we won the next three sets, I’d say we overcame challenges. In the midst of the game, we had a couple things here and there. But, we had a lot of comebacks [in the game],” Rice said.
The next set was much more intense, with BVH fired up after losing the first set. The second set shut to a close with Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Setter and senior Luvee Letuli (4) serving the ball, and ultimately winning them the set at a score of 26-24. Letuli, Setter for the team, shares how she feels the team played, and what was crucial to their success.
“[During] the first set of the game I think we just needed to communicate more but after that we picked it up and started working together and were able to run different plays. We were able to execute with the help of our assistant coach Jennifer Saleamua who broke records in this gym and as an individual and who won state 2000-2001. Being able to learn and be coached from one of the best definitely was a big part in helping us win tonight,” Letuli said.
The third set was very much a close game, each team scored extremely close to each other, and being at a tie multiple times. BVH takes a significant lead due to Letuli setting the ball for Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Middle and senior Isabella Soto (12) to hit it over the net, effectively breaking the tie and leading them to score six consecutive points. BVH takes the win for this set as well, at a score of 25-19.
“[The coaching strategy of the night was] maintaining good, consistent energy. Protecting from too [many] highs and too [many] lows, and making sure that we are focusing on key points. Staying consistent with fundamentals we’re doing on the court to make sure that we stay in the game,” Rice said.
For the first half of the final set of the night, BVH gained a small but significant lead against MDHS before meeting at a tie of 10-10 after Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Ace and sophomore Mia Fuentes (7) missed a receive. The game continues, and after playing hard to gain ground against MDHS , BVH makes their final turning point, with Ayres setting the ball, causing BVH to reach twenty points. The momentum doesn’t stop from there and the game ends at a score of 25-21, resulting in a victory for BVH. This game wraps up the season, Letuli reflects on how she feels this season went.
“Overall, this season we’ve had many ups and downs, having to build new relationships with each other to be able to connect with each other on the court. But I think that we have definitely overcome many challenges that we have had to face and we have come out as a way stronger team than we started off as,” Letuli said.
On top of having to overcome issues with developing relationships and genuine connections with team members in order to perform well. Issues also occurred of having certain people missing this season. Rice explains how the issues of missing players have affected the team overall.
“It is what it is. We were really playing with some injuries this year. Missing individuals, some key individuals were not there. So, between missing some individuals and with injuries with our main setter Luvee, just kind of threw a wrench into the season- pretty much the whole season,” Rice said.
Despite the challenges they have faced this season, the team continues to persevere through it and put their best foot forward. The environment of senior night creates a lot of appreciation for the hard work the girls have put in, as well as aspirations for future generations that might have been influenced by this year’s seniors. Ayres shares some of the knowledge she’s gained from her time on the team.
“The lessons I’ve learned from being on the team are that you have to be patient, especially when you’re an upperclassman and the underclassmen are learning new things. Learn how to talk to them in a way that they’ll understand so it won’t come off as mean or rude. You have to get to know them and how they play in order to build your confidence in your team,” Ayres said.
Ayres goes on to add that in order to create and sustain a bond with newer players, the team would partake in team bonding activities, as well as certain drills at practices. Creating a strong bond was key to being able to work well together on and off the court. Letuli shares what she feels the team could have done differently during the game on Thursday night.
“I think we could have read the hitters of the opposing team better, that would’ve helped us execute faster. Defense is what wins games so being able to read and get good passes will make it easier for us to set up our hitters for success,” Letuli said.
