UPDATE: Olympian High School has emerged victorious in the CIF Division III volleyball championship, defeating El Camino High School with a decisive score of 20-25, 25-10, 25-21, 25-21. This win marks Olympian’s first title since their three-year championship streak from 2014 to 2016.
The championship match took place on October 28, 2023, at Montgomery High School. Despite entering the playoffs as a No. 7 seed following a challenging season, Olympian’s relentless defense and consistent offensive strategy propelled them to victory. Coach Yvette Macias emphasized the significance of defensive plays, stating, “I tell my girls all the time that defense wins games.”
Leading the charge for Olympian was middle hitter Jade Araujo, who delivered 13 kills. Teammates Annabelle Johnson and Nyssa Dickson contributed nine kills each, while Tierrah Santana and Annette Olaoye added seven kills and five blocks respectively.
Despite a strong start from El Camino, who took the first set, Olympian quickly rebounded. Senior libero Keilana Cruz noted the team’s focus on maintaining a positive mindset: “We thought about it as 0-0, stay confident in your team and bring each other up because it’s not over yet.”
El Camino’s standout player, Grace Houston, also impressed, scoring 13 kills. Coach Alex Pukahi praised his team’s accomplishments, stating, “We won 30-plus games. We won league. I’m proud of that.”
In a parallel showdown, Santa Fe Christian dominated the CIF Division II championship, defeating Patrick Henry with a score of 25-12, 25-13, 25-19. Freshman Nariah Johnson led the Eagles with an impressive 19 kills. Coach Megan Lawley recognized the importance of a balanced attack, stating, “If we want to win a championship, we’ve got to use our middles.”
Despite the loss, Patrick Henry’s coach David Chau expressed pride in his team’s journey, emphasizing their hard work throughout the season.
As these championships conclude, both Olympian and Santa Fe Christian have set the stage for a promising future in high school volleyball. Fans are encouraged to follow their journeys as they build on these impressive achievements.
