Selah Neal

Hard work really does pay off! The girls volleyball team ended their season with a 38-10 record and won the CIF section champions for the second year. Hundreds of people packed the FCS gym as the game began. Their win would lead into the state championship playoffs, which they lost to Kingsburg with a score of 1-3. 

The team is coached by Steve Guglielmana who led them to success last year, Guglielmana is excited and proud of his players for their improvement this season.  

“It’s an awesome feeling and very few people win one yet alone two CIF championships back to back,” said Guglielmana.

Each practice and game the team would begin with devotions and prayer giving all glory to God. Not only did the girls have incredible skill, but they also showed God’s light through their encouragement and sportsmanship on the court.

Some players were taught new positions with their skills being put to the test on the court. 

Sophomore Jordyn DeGroot, became the team’s new setter and explains how she enjoyed her important position. 

“I loved being able to play a new position and succeed at it,” said DeGroot. “It feels good to know that hard work pays off when we are all working for the same goal.”

Savannah Cisneros,’ 24,  the starting libero on the team, talks about what it’s like being the main contributor of the back row. 

“I think I contributed to the success of the back row. Being the libero you are the main back-row player,” said Cisneros. “It comes with a lot of pressure and work but I had lots of fun doing it, especially if the opposing team’s front row is very strong.”

The team was a mix of girls who have years of experience on both club and school teams and some players who are new to volleyball. The way the girls all connected to create a talented team is special and not a very common scenario. 

“Some of the girls had never even played volleyball at the beginning of the season, and by the end, they had improved so much,” said DeGroot.

The team’s trust in each other was an important attribute that helped them get to the number of wins they accomplished.

“Also, the team’s dynamic and trust for each other improved significantly in each game, which overall helped us play so much better together and in unison,” DeGroot explained.

The team is looking to pick up another win next season and is excited for what’s to come.

To read more from the feather go to Athlete Spotlight: Blake Bay or PROMO: Basketball is back!