Eagle Era

A season of hard work, improvement, and memorable wins for AHS girls’ volleyball

By Sachi Ladole

The AHS girls’ volleyball program headed into the postseason on a high note, with both varsity and junior varsity teams showing growth, grit, and determination.

The varsity team currently holds a 17-9 overall record and 9-6 in league, placing them third in the Mission Valley League and securing a spot in the upcoming playoffs. Under Coach G. Sculley, the team finished league play with momentum, securing 3-0 wins over Moreau Catholic and Kennedy.

Marissa Eng (10) set the ball for a well-played game against James Logan before Senior Night (Photo Credit: Sachi Ladole (9)).

One rivalry matchup stood as the emotional centerpiece: Washington. “My last four years here, Washington has always been a big game for us,” reflected Coach Sculley. “It’s been close every single time.” AHS split the series with Washington this season—taking a hard-fought 3–2 victory on September 30 but falling 0–3 in the October 23 rematch.

“One of our biggest games was our game against Washington,” said Sahana Pandian (12). “They’re a pretty good team, and we lost to them twice last year, so it was nice to get a win against them this year.”

Players said the match on September 30 captured the team’s identity. “You could feel the energy in the air,” said Joanna Min (10). “Everyone was so hype, and we were able to push through in the last sets. That game represents our team the best—we have the will to fight.”

As the season reaches its final stretch, Captain Sydney Pagsolingan (12) reflected on her final year with the team, saying, “I’m going to miss it a lot. This program and being part of the team has been such a big part of my high school life.” She also shared her thoughts as a captain this year, saying, “I learned to be a lot more patient and understanding of my teammates as people before players. Everybody learns in different ways and timelines—and as a leader, you have to understand that.”

Coach Sculley credited the team’s success to leadership and confidence. “It’s gone a lot better than last season,” he said. “Over the summer, my seniors stepped up and are leading now. The best part is working on stuff in practice and then seeing them succeed in the game.”

On the JV side, the Eagles also delivered a strong season, earning wins over Kennedy (2–0), Moreau Catholic (2–1), and Washington (2–1); their only league game loss was to James Logan (0–2). 

“They’ve improved in all aspects,” said JV Head Coach N. Bigornia. “They exceeded my expectations. Sometimes they make me want to throw my book away, and other times I’m just in tears because of how proud I am of them.”