Palo Alto High School’s girls volleyball recovers from its early losses after winning the Carlmont Invitational and beating Monta Vista High School.
“You win some, you lose some,” senior Jade Schoenberger said. “Every great team has its ups and downs and at the end of the day both teams out played ours. [Losing] just helps us notice our mistakes early and hopefully we will get them next time.”
The Lady Vikes lost to crosstown rival Gunn High School in their season opening game, coming up short in all three sets. The team also lost their second league game, against Los Altos High School, in all three sets.
“[Although] we lost our first two matches, I think we are all still getting used to the transition of a new coach, and we will still be successful this season,” junior Clara Chiu said.
The volleyball team won the Carlmont Invitational Tournament with five straight wins against Carlmont High School, Vista del Lago High School, Harbor High School, Encinal High School and San Benito High School.
“I think having the win over Monta Vista really got us back in the groove of things,” Schoenberger said. “It was a rough first week of league but the Monta Vista game and this tournament win will give us a good confidence boost into the upcoming week.”
The volleyball team has been working hard to improve their skills, and continue the upwards momentum they just gained.
“We have been working really hard in practice and I know my teammates and I have been putting in a lot of effort to become better players and also a more cohesive team,” senior Molly Fogarty said. “After our first two losses in league, we went back to practice more hungry for a win, so we have been working hard and it has been paying off.”
Senior Charlene Zhu said that a key element to the volleyball team’s recovery was their coach, Daniele Desiderio.
“He didn’t get mad at us for losing,” Zhu said. “Instead he told us that believes in us and that he knows we are a good team.”
Also, team members attribute their ability to bounce back from the losses to great team chemistry both on and off the court.
“Everyone on the team has so much to bring to the game, this sport and it’s really nice to be able to share our obvious passion: volleyball,” junior Gabrielle Bains said. “I believe that this team can take our wins farther and become an even stronger team.”
The Lady Vikes will play against Mountain View High School on Oct. 14 next.
