Olympian Volleyball Team Claims Division III Championship Title

The Olympian High School girls’ volleyball team triumphed in the Division III championship, defeating El Camino High School with a score of 20-25, 25-10, 25-21, 25-21 on October 28, 2023, at Montgomery. This victory marks Olympian’s first title since their three consecutive championships from 2014 to 2016. The team faced significant challenges earlier in the season, including a seven-match losing streak and entering the playoffs as the No. 7 seed.

Coach Yvette Macias emphasized the importance of defense, stating, “I tell my girls all the time that defense wins games.” Throughout the match, the Eagles showcased a consistent offensive strategy coupled with a strong defensive effort. Middle hitter Jade Araujo led the team with 13 kills, while teammates Annabelle Johnson and Nyssa Dickson each contributed nine kills. Tierrah Santana and Annette Olaoye also made notable contributions with seven kills each, with Olaoye adding five blocks.

El Camino initially took control of the match, winning the first set 25-20. However, Olympian quickly regrouped, turning a slim 11-9 lead into a commanding 17-10 advantage in the second set, ultimately winning it. Senior libero Keilana Cruz reflected on the team’s resilience, saying, “Something about us is that we just don’t remind ourselves of the past; we think of the future when we’re playing.”

Despite a strong performance from El Camino’s Grace Houston, who recorded 13 kills, the Wildcats could not maintain their early momentum. Coach Alex Pukahi praised his team’s accomplishments, highlighting their season of over 30 wins and a league championship, encouraging his players not to diminish their achievements.

In the Division II championship match, top-seeded Santa Fe Christian decisively defeated No. 2 Patrick Henry, with a score of 25-12, 25-13, 25-19. Freshman Nariah Johnson was instrumental in the Eagles’ victory, contributing 19 kills. The match demonstrated Santa Fe Christian’s strategic shift to employ a more balanced offense, focusing on middle hitters.

Coach Megan Lawley noted the team’s evolution over the season, stating, “If we want to win a championship, we’ve got to use our middles.” The Eagles maintained control throughout the match, with the senior duo of Mali Carroll and Autumn Ermanis adding significant contributions with eight kills and four blocks combined.

Patrick Henry’s efforts were led by senior Alyssa Chu, who recorded 12 kills. Coach David Chau expressed pride in his team’s journey to the championship, acknowledging the hard work that brought them to this point.

Both championship matches highlighted the competitive spirit and teamwork of high school volleyball, showcasing the dedication and skill of the young athletes involved. As Olympian celebrates its return to title glory, Santa Fe Christian underscored its dominance in the Division II category, setting the stage for exciting future competitions in the sport.