On October 2nd, the YLHS women’s volleyball team played against the challenging school, Cypress. Although the Mustangs took home a tough 3-2 loss, they demonstrated hard work and determination on the court. Despite losing the first two sets, they had an amazing comeback by winning the next two, taking the team into the final fifth set. The final score may not have been the desired result, but there’s no denying that the girls didn’t try their hardest.
Throughout the game, players from the sideline did chants and cheers to encourage the team and keep morale high. The girls’ team chemistry is undeniably strong, and their bond extends beyond the court as well. Led by dedicated coaches, the Mustangs will continue to grow exponentially as a team and individually.
Opening the first set, the Mustangs kept a close score with many receives, spikes, and blocks. Notably, they had a powerful block between Sophia Melanson (11) and Sophia Jones (12), spikes from Kyndra Long (12), and saves from Rylan Stephens (12). Though this set ended in a loss of 21-25, there was no doubt that the team would give up on this league game.
In the second set, the team had a strong opening, with an energetic block by Kelley Van Otterloo (11) and Melanson. The Mustangs took the score to 10-6 before calling a timeout. Unfortunately, Cypress was able to catch up 18-20 with serves and spikes, and since Yorba Linda ended up stagnant in their score, the Centurians eventually took the set 18-25.
The third set is where things took a turn. The team started to rally together, the bench was loud, and the crowd was filled with even more excitement. As the Mustangs stepped on the court, they were filled with determination and strength. Spike after spike, receive after receive, Yorba Linda was able to trail in score throughout the entire set. With a tip over the net, the Mustangs took the third set with a score of 25-22.
Riding off the momentum from the third set, the Mustangs went after the Centurians with full offensive force. Ava Rodieck (12) and Long, with the sets of Jones, shone in their persistent spikes that blew past the blockers. Winning this set 25-18, Yorba Linda was able to tie the game 2-2.
In the deciding set of this game, the score was neck to neck. Rodieck was able to score three points early on with her spikes, but the Centurians wouldn’t let up. From dumps to serves to spikes, the Mustangs fought hard, even taking the set to a deuce. Even though it was clear the team put 100% of themselves into this game, they ultimately fell short, losing with a score of 15-17. Syrai Drascich (11) says, “I think we can use this to motivate us for the next couple of games that we have and fire us up for the next plays.”
As the season nears an end, the YLHS women’s volleyball team continues to shine and demonstrate their skills and determination. Their impressive season record reflects their dedication to the team and the coaches’ hard work. As of now, they are 19-9 in the season and 4-3 in the Crestview league, putting them in third place. In terms of ranking, YLHS is 101st in California, 49th in the Southern Section, 8th in the Division 4 Southern Section, and 48th in the Los Angeles Metro.
From intense practices to challenging teams, the girls’ commitment to the program can be reflected through their wins. From this tough loss, the players will continue to learn from their mistakes and apply their corrections to future games. As the Mustangs finish out their season and prepare for CIF, Ava Rodieck (12) ensures that “We will continue being a team, not an individual, staying together no matter if we are down or up.”
