Olympian Claims Fourth Volleyball Title with Stunning Championship Win

Olympian High School secured its fourth championship title in girls’ volleyball by defeating El Camino High School in the Division III finals held on October 21, 2023, at Montgomery. The Eagles, who faced a challenging season with a seven-match losing streak and entered the playoffs as the No. 7 seed, showcased resilience and determination. They triumphed over El Camino with scores of 20-25, 25-10, 25-21, and 25-21.

Coach Yvette Macias emphasized the importance of defense, stating, “I tell my girls all the time that defense wins games. We love a big offense, but at the end of the day, we’ve got to pick up that ball.” The Eagles’ victory marked their first title since their championship streak from 2014 to 2016.

The match began with El Camino taking control, leading 20-11 in the first set. Despite their strong start, the Wildcats were unable to maintain their momentum. Senior libero Keilana Cruz reflected on the team’s mindset, saying, “Something about us is that we just don’t remind ourselves of the past; we think of the future when we’re playing.” This approach helped the Eagles rally back to secure the win.

Leading the charge for Olympian was middle hitter Jade Araujo, who delivered an impressive performance with 13 kills. Other standout players included Annabelle Johnson and Nyssa Dickson, contributing nine kills each, while Tierrah Santana and Annette Olaoye added seven kills apiece. Olaoye further bolstered the defense with five blocks.

El Camino’s efforts were spearheaded by Grace Houston, who recorded 13 kills, and Brooke Stark, who added 12 kills along with two blocks. Coach Alex Pukahi acknowledged his team’s achievements despite the loss, stating, “We won 30-plus games. We won league. We made it here from a program that doesn’t have a lot of club players. So to not hold their heads down. We had a great season, and I’m proud of that.”

The Eagles quickly turned a slim 11-9 lead into a commanding 17-10 advantage in the second set, finishing with a nine-point streak. El Camino managed to regain the lead in the third set at 19-18, but a strong five-point run from Olympian, highlighted by three kills from Araujo, shifted the momentum once again.

In the fourth set, Olympian established a 9-2 lead, but El Camino fought back with an eight-point run. Ultimately, Dickson and Olaoye’s contributions at the net proved decisive, allowing the Eagles to close out the match. “It’s a full-circle moment for me,” Macias expressed. “Our girls found out what it means to be consistent. We’re talented. We just needed the right motivation to be where we needed to be.”

In the Division II championship match, top-seeded Santa Fe Christian dominated the court against No. 2 Patrick Henry. The Eagles claimed victory with scores of 25-12, 25-13, and 25-19. Freshman Nariah Johnson led the charge with 19 kills, supported by seniors Mali Carroll and Autumn Ermanis, who combined for eight kills and four blocks.

Santa Fe Christian coach Megan Lawley attributed the success to strategic adjustments made during the season. “If we want to win a championship, we’ve got to use our middles,” she noted, highlighting the team’s focus on maximizing player potential.

Patrick Henry’s performance was commendable, with senior outside hitter Alyssa Chu leading her team with 12 kills. Coach David Chau expressed pride in his team’s journey, stating, “Regardless of results, I’m extremely proud of the work it took to get here.”

The championship matches showcased not only the skills of the athletes but also the spirit and determination that define high school sports. As Olympian celebrates its victory, Santa Fe Christian also reflects on a successful season, setting the stage for future competitions.