Setting their sights on a sunny spring season, UC High’s Girls Beach Volleyball Team approaches an exciting new chapter with joy and passion for the game. Getting to play a collaborative and scenic sport, the team savors every stride towards improvement.

   “A regular practice starts off with warming up while also socializing with everyone, then moving onto our warmup drills and ending with some playing time, which is always a lot of fun,” said Senior Annika Friedrichs. Friedrichs is the team’s co-captain, alongside Senior Eva Luna.

   Although many players also practice indoor volleyball, there are clear distinctions between the sports. “Beach and indoor volleyball use many of the same skills, but beach requires excellent communication with your partner and serious hustle; There are only two people on one side of the net while in indoor volleyball there are six,” said Junior Sarah Allan.

   Senior Camille Barrera is excited about her final season on the team. She said, “I get to play with some of my closest friends. I’m mostly looking to improve my defense and agility, so that I can help my partner cover more of the court.”

   “We’re working on a variety of skills. For defense we’re mainly working on learning peeling and blocking on the net. For offense we’re working on making shots and putting the ball where the defense is not,” said Senior Andrea Lanatta-Valera.

   Head Coach Mark Salata, who first joined the team as an assistant coach in 2019, has various hopes for the group. He said, “There are two areas we are focusing on as a team this year: the ‘dance’ between the partners as they play [there are only two players covering the whole side of the court] and achieving a zen mindfulness in the midst of chaotic play.”

   Salata anticipates notable promise from some of the team’s newer additions. He said, “We have some new teams in our top five as well as some rising stars from ninth and tenth grade.”

   “I would say [our greatest strengths are] our supportiveness of each other and how all of us always want to get better and work a little bit harder each day,” said Barrera.

   “Beach volleyball seems simple, but there is a complexity to it that is missed by one who merely observes the game. There is an elegance displayed when a pair of players reach a certain skill level. It is rewarding when I can be a part of helping them reach that level,” said Salata.

   Friedrichs said, “I come back each year, because I love the sport and everything that comes with it, getting close with our teammates, playing outside on the sand and the beach, and because we have an awesome coach who is always there to support us!”

   Appreciation for their coaching is a common thread among the teammates. “Coach Salata holds so much knowledge about beach volleyball, and he goes the extra mile so that we can get [repetitions] in and improve our skills on and off the court,” said Allan.

   Lanatta-Valera concurred, highlighting her positive experiences on the team. She said, “I enjoy the environment of the team. Everyone is so kind and I always have lots of fun at practice.”