BREAKING: Olympian High School secures the Division III volleyball championship with a thrilling comeback victory against El Camino, winning 20-25, 25-10, 25-21, 25-21 on Saturday at Montgomery. This marks a significant achievement for the Eagles, who ended a challenging season with a seven-match losing streak and entered the playoffs as the No. 7 seed.
With a dominant performance, Olympian displayed relentless defense and a powerful attack, clinching their first title since a three-year championship run from 2014 to 2016. Coach Yvette Macias emphasized, “Defense wins games. We love a big offense, but at the end of the day, we’ve got to pick up that ball.”
The Eagles were propelled by middle hitter Jade Araujo, who delivered an impressive 13 kills. Teammates Annabelle Johnson and Nyssa Dickson contributed nine kills each, while Tierrah Santana and Annette Olaoye added seven kills apiece, with Olaoye also achieving five blocks.
El Camino initially dominated the first set, leading 20-11, but the Eagles rallied back to take control of the match. Senior libero Keilana Cruz noted, “We think of the future when we’re playing… it’s not over yet.” This positive mindset propelled them to victory as they focused on each set as a new opportunity.
El Camino’s Grace Houston led her team with 13 kills, while Brooke Stark added 12 kills and two blocks. Coach Alex Pukahi praised his team’s accomplishments, saying, “We won 30-plus games. We won league. I’m proud of that.”
In the Division II championship, top-seeded Santa Fe Christian dominated No. 2 Patrick Henry, winning decisively 25-12, 25-13, 25-19. Freshman Nariah Johnson was a standout performer with 19 kills, leading a well-rounded offensive effort.
Coach Megan Lawley highlighted strategic adjustments, stating, “If we want to win a championship, we’ve got to use our middles.” The Eagles executed this plan flawlessly, with seniors Mali Carroll and Autumn Ermanis contributing eight kills and four blocks.
Patrick Henry was led by senior outside hitter Alyssa Chu, who recorded 12 kills. Coach David Chau expressed pride in the team’s journey, acknowledging the hard work it took to reach the championship.
This championship weekend showcased extraordinary talent and determination, with both Olympian and Santa Fe Christian demonstrating resilience and teamwork. As the season concludes, fans are eager to see what the future holds for these promising teams.
