LONG BEACH, CA – On Tuesday, Sept. 19 the Girls Varsity Volleyball celebrated their seniors before taking on Lakewood High School. Senior names were called along with their pathway and the college they plan on attending. After running past cheerleaders, players were met by family members who hugged them and walked them to center court. The night was not only to thank seniors who have played most of high school, but the family around them who helped them get to that night.
The night started out with JV taking on Lakewood’s JV and right after their game ended the band began playing and cheerleaders lined up to make a tunnel for seniors to run through.
Varsity then took on Lakewood; their first set was a hard fight that ended in the Bruins taking the first set. Going into set two, the Lancers took the win. In set three, the Bruins asserted themselves and took the third set. Late into the night, both sides were tired but excited to go into the fourth set. The Bruins lead with the intention of ending the game and the Lancers with the intention to force overtime.
In the end, the Bruins fought hard, ending the night winning the fourth set. After the game, senior Chloe Pravednikov was asked what this team meant to her and she spoke about the relationship between players, “This team means a lot. A lot of us have been together for so long and we’re trying to keep the energy … after [the] seniors leave.” Senior Julissa Vasquez was also asked and said, “I think it’s a strong sisterhood and it brings the girls together.”
Both players and Coach Christopher Ceballos are hopeful where this season will go. When asked how far he sees current seniors going in volleyball Coach Ceballos said “…this group is really talented, the girls who are going on to the next level of volley could potentially move forward to professional rankings …. I’ll probably end up working for them one day.”
