Ernest Jones IV
(L to R) Suns volleyball players Valerie Vargas, Danna Arellano, Nayomi Mosqueda, Emery Martinez, Lynneah Garza and Viviana Vasquez celebrate after the team beat Golden Valley, 3-0, at home on Wednesday. It was the volleyball team's first win since moving up to varsity play three seasons ago.
It finally happened. As sophomore outside hitter Lynneah Garza swatted the ball over the net, her Del Oro teammates on the sideline watched with anticipation.
The ball floated toward a pair of Bulldog players, who tried to rally but instead hit it into the net.
And just like that, the Suns swept the Bulldogs, 3-0, at home to capture the team’s first home win, its first sweep, and (most importantly) its first-ever win at the varsity level.
“I feel so blessed to finally experience that game-winning feeling,” senior Jenny Padilla said. “After three years on varsity, the hard work and dedication really paid off.”
The match was tight for the first two sets, with Del Oro winning 25-19 and 25-21, respectively. The third set wasn’t as close, with the Suns cruising to a 25-13 win.
“Everyone played a role in the game that night and did it perfectly,” Padilla said. “It is such a good feeling to experience with my team, after all the hard work that was put into this season.”
Garza said it was important for the team to keep up with both energy and momentum.
“It feels amazing that the team has come so far,” she said. “And it’s just super exciting to be able to experience the first-ever win in [school] history.”
For the team’s seniors, the win justified all the practices and work the players had put in the past four years.
“After so many close games, finally getting our first win out of the season feels so amazing,” senior Nayomi Mosqueda said.
Senior Saraya Garza said she was surprised Golden Valley allowed the winning point without a more aggressive rally.
“They low-key just gave up,” she said. “We were just in shock. We thought they were going to put more effort into getting that point back.”