The Sand City Volleyball Club’s girls 18 team is heading to Salt Lake City, Utah, to compete in the USA Volleyball’s Girls Junior National Championship Tournament after overcoming a season filled with adversity.
“I’m really excited because this team has gone through so much, and we all thought it was going to be the worst season ever, and it turned out to be a really great season,” said Maya Giannini, a senior at Palma High School.
The team faced numerous challenges, including not having a fully healthy roster throughout the season.
“I don’t think there was a single tournament that there wasn’t someone sick, like the past three tournaments, honestly, there was a lot to deal with,” said Natalie Mendoza, a senior at Salinas High School.
“I feel so rewarded to get this because there’s other teams that want the same thing. They want the dream of going to nationals, especially in their last season, it’s your last chance to make it big,” said Jennifer Rivera, also a senior at Salinas High School.
The group of high school seniors from across the Central Coast is determined to make their last club volleyball tournament memorable, with hopes of bringing back a national championship.
“There’s a lot of girls who aren’t going on to play in college, so leaving out on the court for them because this is their actual last matches,” Laela Burges, a senior at San Luis Obispo High School.
“To be able to coach the same players for four or five years in a row is fantastic,c and they just keep proving themselves, each year, year in and year out. Super proud, just a super proud coach,” said Kit Moore, head coach of the Sand City Volleyball Club.
The tournament begins Friday and ends on Sunday, with the team hoping to stay healthy and perform their best.
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