Pilots Take Flight During JV Volleyball Season Opener
By Hannah N. ‘27
Drawing crowds since its invention in 1895, volleyball has been a mainstream sport. 128 years later, the Alameda Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School Junior Varsity team did not disappoint.
It was August 22, 2023, the first volleyball game of the season. SJND was playing Convent of the Sacred Heart, a San Francisco school. It was a humid Tuesday night as the team entered the gym. Both schools warmed-up quickly and efficiently as energetic music played in the background. After warm-ups, both teams took their places on the court.
In volleyball, two teams compete against each other in a set to 25 points. A point is scored when the ball drops in the boundaries of the opposing team’s side. Six players are allowed on each side of the net. A basic play consists of a serve to the other team, then the other team can pass, set, and spike. Each team is allowed a maximum of 3 touches on the ball while it is on their side. If this is violated, the opposing team gets a point. Each game is played to the best of 3 sets. One team wins when they have won two sets.
As the game begins, the Pilots are off to a strong start as Anabelle Holmes #16 scores the first point. The game continues with both schools scoring back and forth until SJND gets the serve back and it is 5–3 Pilots. As Convent makes errors, SJND solidifies their lead with aces (serves that are not returned) and the score is 12–4. The Pilots keep their energy up and earn more points. With smart plays and strategic placement they dominate the court. The atmosphere is electric and fans are cheering as SJND is at game point 24–11 with the serve. Sophie Santos #8 ends the game with an amazingly placed hit and the Pilots win the first set!
The next set SJND starts off with the serve but Convent gets a side out (a point off the opposite team’s serve). Rallying back and forth, Convent takes an early 7–4 lead. They continue earning points despite the Pilots’ effort and the score is 14–10 Convent. SJND inches back with a series of spectacular saves, which put them back in the game. Convent’s errors open the door for the Pilots and they seize the opportunity, taking a 21–19 lead! SJND finish strong, winning the set 25–21!
As the team walked off the court, all you could see was happiness on their faces. Sporting events like these help bring the school community together. Watching and supporting each other is a big part of SJND.
“I continue to play volleyball because I really like the team aspect and it just brings me a lot of joy,” stated Anabelle Holmes, a freshman player on the JV team.
“I believe like any other sport, everyone competes with one another and things may get heated,” says Allan Nguyen, the SJND Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Coach. “However, for a majority of the time, life-long friendships have been built through volleyball and its wonderful community. I have met some amazing people and some of my best friends through the sport and everything that comes along with it.”
The performance given by the JV team in their very first game gives a glimpse of what is to come during their season. They are off to a phenomenal start and the school community cannot wait to see more.
