Girls’ volleyball gains valuable experience, wins in preseason games

Last year, the girls’ volleyball team ended its season with a tough loss against Burlingame High School at the quarterfinal CCS game after tensing up from nerves and missing serves at 22-20 in the third game.

This year, the team is hoping to come back stronger with additions such as junior outside hitter Jennifer Chen and junior libero Caitlin Cooper. Despite facing upper league teams during all the preseason games, the team, which is in the El Camino league, won its first four games with ease.

The Falcons lost their first game 4-1 against Branham on Sept. 16 and had a second loss to Los Gatos 3-0 on Sept. 18.

“We definitely played really well, we just played a tough team,” said junior setter Nicole Chiou, one of the team’s new players.

The girls’ strong performance last year attracted the attention of Cal-High Sports, a local television station that focuses on high school sports. The show featured the Falcon during their first game on Sept. 4 against Prospect High School, which they won 3-2.

The girls continued on to defeat King’s Academy 3-0 on Sept. 9, Leigh High School 3-0 on Sept. 10, and Willow Glen High School on Sept. 11.

Even though the team is having to replace three starters from last year to graduation, the Falcons are finding some potential stars in the incoming players, especially Chiou. As a setter, Chiou is responsible for the flow of both the offense and defense — a big change from the back row position she held last year.

“It’s fun because you get to be the quarterback of the team and run plays to outsmart the other team,” Chiou said.

The girls have faced strong, upper league teams throughout pre-season and know that these tough matches will pay off in the regular season.

“It sucks that it was our first loss of the season, but I think we played really hard and grew stronger as a team,” said senior captain Sara Parden, an outside hitter.

Last year, the team placed second in the league behind Cupertino High School, a team the Falcons have squarely in their sights this year.

“It is exciting that league is starting next week and we are going to bring our game and hopefully beat Cupertino and win league this year,” Parden said.

The official season began Sept. 23 with a game against Cupertino, which was not covered due to printing deadlines.