This season for the San Benito High School girls’ volleyball teams, the junior varsity and freshmen teams finished a combined 22-5. Javier Castaneda is the coach of the freshmen team, and Jennifer Andrade is the junior varsity coach.
The freshmen team won first in the bronze bracket at a junior varsity tournament, and took first in the gold bracket in a freshmen tournament. Castaneda said that the team’s season was “phenomenal.” He said that in order to be a successful team they must have chemistry, work ethic, coach ability, and desire. “Because of those things our team has been able to do well,” Castaneda stated.
Entering into the final week, Castaneda wanted to end on a high note and have a fun, energetic, and memorable week. Castaneda said that the season “went better than planned.” According to the coach, the girls put in a good work ethic by always coming to practice and respecting one another.
Castaneda said, “I love my girls and what we have been able to accomplish. It has been amazing being able to coach some of them when they were 12 and now. It is a great team to end my last year of coaching volleyball.”
The junior varsity team took first place in the gold bracket of both of its tournaments. “Our team worked together as one to win our games. We all strived for the same goal, to be the best we can,” one of the three team captains, Brittany Lindgren, said. The overall season was good, according to Lindgren. “The team gave a great amount of effort. I mean, sure, some of our games we got a little tired and down on ourselves and could have played better, but overall we gave it our best.”
Another team captain, Mykenzie Camino, said, “The girls worked well together, and team dinners were a big reason for that.” The team also performed multiple cheers to “pump up” before a game.
Both teams were competitive in league this year, and now that the season is over the players were sad to see it end.