Volleyball is a fast-paced, adrenaline-rushing sport that requires much determination and passion. UC High’s Varsity Girls Volleyball Team has been demonstrating these traits as it overcomes challenging opponents this season. The team practices in the school gym on Mondays and Wednesdays to prepare themselves for the games they play on Tuesdays and Thursdays, according to Captain Daniela Gregor.

   “We changed leagues from the Western to the Eastern, so this year is very different than last year; it’s difficult to compare. We are now playing in a league in which we are one of the top teams. Last year in the Western League, we competed against many of the top teams in the county, so it was difficult to compete at that level,” said Head Varsity Coach Aaron Hartin. “The season is going very well; we are currently second in our league with a record of 8 to 2,” he explained.

   As its ranking demonstrates, the team has achieved many successes. “We beat Clairemont [High] to open our season. It was a very close match, as it always is,” said Hartin. “Highlights of the season have been beating Clairemont [High] and Bonita Vista [High] in five sets to open the season in the first two games of the season. We also had a great win against Mission Hills [High] at the La Jolla Tournament,” he said.

   Although the team has won many games, the players have faced some challenges as well. “We lost to our new league rival, Coronado [High],…but we’re looking forward to another opportunity to beat them and take sole possession of first place in the league,” said Hartin.

   According to Hartin, Sophomore Avalon Denecochea is a star player, as well as Gregor, who has been playing outstanding volleyball this year. “I’ve moved positions a lot. I started as a center and opposite, but sophomore year, I was moved to right side. Junior year, I played center, and at the start of senior year, I moved to right front. Basically, in all three positions, you have to block and hit in the front row; the difference is just where you are in relation to the net,” said Gregor. These skilled players are supporting the team’s success.

   Sophomore Maya Arriaga said, “My favorite play so far would be when we played Patrick Henry [High] and I got a kill. I’m a libero (one person on the court that wears a different colored jersey and specializes in passing and defense), so it’s very rare that people of my height and position get a kill.”

   “Personally, I’d say this is my best season, because now, I’m playing the whole time and it’s my senior year, so I’m super excited about it. The team chemistry this year is really good and we’re all super close,” said Gregor. “One of my highlights from playing was during sophomore year: it was my first year on varsity, and we won our first CIF game. We lost the first two matches, but then we came back and won the next three,” Gregor added.

   “Volleyball is the most important thing to me. It’s the only sport that I play and have continued to play, so I think it’s really cool,” said Gregor.

   With numerous triumphs so far, the Volleyball Team has been spiking to success this season.