After many years of struggles throughout the various volleyball teams, the Titans finally concluded their season with a close finish at the CIF Division 5 championships. This season proves to be historic, as no other San Marino volleyball team has placed this high in a CIF bracket. Although we are saying goodbye to our beloved seniors that helped us accomplish this achievement, we commend them for everything they have done throughout this special season.
A common saying throughout society is that it is not how you start, but rather how you finish. While the Titans may have ended strong by going to the CIF finals, the beginning of the season was rather rough. Starting later than most volleyball teams, they struggled to play as a unit and gain trust in each other, resulting in a devastating loss in the season opener against Pasadena Polytechnic. After many practices and games, the team began to gain trust and synergy, which allowed them to emerge victorious in most of their preseason games. The Titans even showcased their skills at the Malibu High School tournament, where they placed 3rd and lost in a nail-biter against Harvard Westlake. This preseason was all the Titans needed to successfully prepare for the league games. “I honestly didn’t know how the rest of the season would turn out after these first couple practices and games,” team captain Luca Moggio, 11, said.
Whe league began, the Titans were ready to battle, being hungry for a league title after a dry spell. However, the first game started off relatively tricky. The game was going smoothly until our starting setter, Jared Wang, got injured. Without the proper lineup, the Titans struggled for the next two sets, causing the game to go to five sets. Though barely clenching the win, the team learned to not be overly cocky, as that would lead to their downfall. The next couple games went smooth, sweeping most teams including our rival, South Pasadena. However, things took a turn for the worst against South Pasadena during our spring break. While South Pasadena was practicing hard and devising strategies to beat us, the Titans were on vacation mode, showing up to practice late and goofing off. Due to this, the Titans lost in a close five set game, and lost their definitive league champion title. After this reminder of how easily they can lose, the Titans practiced diligently for their upcoming CIF matches.
Throughout the season of growth and development, the Titans swept their way through the CIF bracket, beating every team in three sets up until the final match. The Titans were blessed with support from many students and teachers, which brought the energy that was needed to win. However, on the day of the CIF finals, the Titans could not conquer the 6 ’10 D1 recruit on the Sage Hill team they played. With over 40 kills in that singular game, the Titans failed to overcome that wall. The game ended in a heartbreaker, with the Titans losing in the fifth set, 13-15. At this point, we commemorated our seniors Ryan Wang, Jeffrey Li, Sebastian Liong, and Alwin Champon for their efforts in our historic season. Although saying goodbye is sad, the volleyball team is excited for what’s to come next year, hoping to this time win the CIF championship.
