Olympian Volleyball Team Clinches Championship Title After Remarkable Comeback

In a stunning display of resilience, the Olympian High School volleyball team secured its first championship title since 2016 by defeating El Camino High School 20-25, 25-10, 25-21, 25-21 in the Division III championship match held on October 14, 2023, at Montgomery. This victory marks a significant turnaround for Olympian, which faced a challenging start to the season with a seven-match losing streak and a No. 7 seed in the CIF girls volleyball playoffs.

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 team showcased a consistent attack, led by middle hitter Jade Araujo, who recorded 13 kills. Additionally, teammates Annabelle Johnson and Nyssa Dickson contributed nine kills each, while Tierrah Santana and Annette Olaoye added seven kills each, with Olaoye also delivering five block assists.

El Camino started strong, taking an early lead in the first set at 20-11 and eventually winning it 25-20. However, Olympian quickly adjusted their strategy, which was reflected in the second set as they surged to a 17-10 lead, concluding it with a dominant nine-point run. Senior libero Keilana Cruz noted the team’s mental approach, stating, “Something about us is that we just don’t remind ourselves of the past; we think of the future when we’re playing.”

In the third set, El Camino briefly regained the lead at 19-18, but a critical 5-0 run from Olympian, fueled by three kills from Araujo, shifted momentum back in their favor. The Eagles established a commanding 9-2 lead in the fourth set, but El Camino rallied with eight consecutive points. Ultimately, Dickson and Olaoye proved crucial at the net, combining for nine points to secure the championship victory.

Reflecting on the win, Coach Macias remarked, “It’s a full-circle moment for me. It’s been a while since our program got this far. Our girls found out what it means to be consistent.”

In a parallel championship match, Santa Fe Christian dominated the Division II title, defeating Patrick Henry in straight sets: 25-12, 25-13, 25-19. Freshman Nariah Johnson led the Eagles with an impressive 19 kills, supported by senior duo Mali Carroll and Autumn Ermanis, who collectively delivered eight kills and four blocks.

Coach Megan Lawley commented on the team’s development throughout the season, stating, “If we want to win a championship, we’ve got to use our middles. So the last few practices we’ve been really testing them and making them work harder.”

Patrick Henry’s effort was spearheaded by senior outside hitter Alyssa Chu, who achieved 12 kills, while teammates Ellie Scribner and Ashlan Daniels contributed six and four kills, respectively. Coach David Chau recognized the team’s accomplishments, asserting, “Regardless of results, I’m extremely proud of the work it took to get here.”

Both championship games not only highlighted the athletes’ skills and determination but also underscored the importance of teamwork and strategy in achieving success on the court.