Westview was placed in the winning bracket after blazing through the competition on the first day of the San Diego Varsity Classic [SDVC] volleyball tournament. The Wolverines faced University City, Pacific Ridge, and Scripps Ranch on the first day and were to compete for the championship the next day where they challenged Del Norte in the quarterfinals, but lost to Coronado in the semifinals.

Against University City, the Wolverines won two straight sets, 25-13 and 25-22. Approaching the tournament, the team decided to rotate players through positions they didn’t normally play so everyone could learn different skills. Captain Gabrielle Ngo (11), typically a right side hitter, played outside middle, right side, and back row throughout the tournament.

“Everyone stepped into a new role at some point on the court, and everyone did a really good job of doing that role for our team,” Ngo said. “I think we were adaptable to the new changes. Doing everything also makes you [a] better player overall. Being able to push through every single set and every single point, to build up a win [is hard].”

As they experimented with position changes, the team discovered that changing roles and positions confused their opponents and opened up the net. Outside hitter Lucy Tellers (10) and her teammates capitalized on the openings by running plays where players intersected, mixing up the opposing team’s defense, which led to a 2-0 win against Pacific Ridge after a close second set.

“Because nobody knew who our offenses [were] and where I was, or where the other outsider [hitter] was going to be, it opened up the net and we ran a lot of plays,” Tellers said. “It’s very confusing for the blockers, and the defense [ends up] scrambling.”

To end the first day, Westview played an intense game against Scripps Ranch. After the Falcons won the first set 25-23, Westview had to quickly adjust to the Falcons’ high-intensity play. Ultimately, they came back with a final score of 2-1.

“We adjusted quickly after losing the first set and responded back to their physicality,” Tellers said. “We also increased our energy levels and celebrated every point louder and louder each time to improve the flow of the game. When you have good energy, it is so much easier to bounce back after losing a couple points.”

After dominating their bracket on the first day, Tellers knew the team needed to use their momentum for the next morning.

“It was good for us to get some wins under our belt to help build up some confidence,” Tellers said. “[Knowing] we can compete with these tougher teams, and [that] we can do anything as long as we have the fight in us was so important. When you play well, you carry that momentum with you to the next thing.”

Westview narrowly beat Del Norte in the first set 25-21. Expecting to win again, Westview came into the second set with less energy, which Tellers said Del Norte took advantage of.

“When we won that first set, we laid back,” Tellers said. “We [have] to learn to keep our foot on the gas, to keep pushing through no matter what team it is. You gotta keep playing how you play [and] can’t focus on the other side as much. You can’t play to their level.”

The team managed to bring back their energy to win the third set 15-10 and the quarterfinal against Del Norte 2-1 to claim a spot in the semi-finals.

“Games can be super long [and can] beat you down,” Tellers said. Lasting the whole time and just being able to push through every single set and every single point, just to build up a win is so important. You’ve got [to have] the most amazing energy ever because [volleyball] is a game of energy. ”

For the semifinals against Coronado, Ngo realized the team needed to work on its communication and ability to quickly adapt to different playing styles. After losing a close first set 27-25, Westview continued to fight for a win, but ultimately lost the second set 25-23.

“Coronado had a very strong offense,” Ngo said. “I feel like we adjusted [to] it too late. By the time we figured out how to solve it, the first set was already over. There were some balls that dropped that probably shouldn’t [have]. Communication is a huge factor. It comes from not being able to practice enough yet. We’re still really early in the season, [but] I’m optimistic that everyone will rise to the occasion”

Ngo said that despite the loss, it was a testimony to the team’s perseverance and showed them where they could improve.

“We definitely battled for sure, especially the first set,” Ngo said. “It was sad that we lost in the semi-finals, but it taught us a lot. 

My big motivation is to do it for the girls next to you, not just yourself. If you push each other, then it pushes you to play at your best.”

Westview was placed in the winning bracket after blazing through the competition on the first day of the San Diego Varsity Classic [SDVC] volleyball tournament.

The Wolverines faced University City, Pacific Ridge, and Scripps Ranch on the first day and were in the running for the championship title. The next day Westview challenged Del Norte in the quarterfinals, but ultimately lost to Coronado in the semifinals.

Against University City, the Wolverines won two straight sets, 25-13 and 25-22.

Approaching the tournament, the team decided to rotate players through positions they didn’t normally play so everyone could learn different skills and have a better understanding of the game as a whole.

Captain Gabrielle Ngo (11), typically a right side hitter, played outside middle, right side, and back row throughout the tournament.

“Everyone stepped into a new role at some point on the court, and everyone did a really good job of doing that role for our team,” Ngo said. “I think we were adaptable to the new changes. Doing everything also makes you [a] better player overall. Being able to push through every single set and every single point, to build up a win [is hard].”

As they experimented with position changes, the team discovered that changing roles and positions confused their opponents and opened up the net.

Outside hitter Lucy Tellers (10) and her teammates capitalized on the openings by running plays where players intersected, mixing up the opposing team’s defensive blockers, which led to a 2-0 win against Pacific Ridge after a close second set.

“Because nobody knew who our offenses [were] and where I was, or where the other outsider [hitter] was going to be, it opened up the net and we ran a lot of plays,” Tellers said. “It’s very confusing for the blockers, and the defense [ends up] scrambling.”

To end the first day, Westview played an intense game against Scripps Ranch. After the Falcons won the first set 25-23, Westview had to quickly adjust to the Falcons’ high-intensity play. Ultimately, they came back with a final score of 2-1.

“We adjusted quickly after losing the first set and responded back to their physicality,” Tellers said. “We also increased our energy levels and celebrated every point louder and louder each time to improve the flow of the game. When you have good energy, it is so much easier to bounce back after losing a couple points.”

After dominating their bracket on the first day, Tellers knew the team needed to use their momentum for the next morning.

“It was good for us to get some wins under our belt to help build up some confidence,” Tellers said. “[Knowing] we can compete with these tougher teams, and [that] we can do anything as long as we have the fight in us was so important. When you play well, you carry that momentum with you to the next thing.”

Westview narrowly beat Del Norte in the first set 25-21.

Expecting to win again, Westview came into the second set with less energy, which Tellers said Del Norte took advantage of.

“When we won that first set, we laid back,” Tellers said. “We [have] to learn to keep our foot on the gas, to keep pushing through no matter what team it is. You gotta keep playing how you play [and] can’t focus on the other side as much. You can’t play to their level.”

The team managed to bring back their energy to win the third set 15-10 and the quarterfinal against Del Norte 2-1 to claim a spot in the semi-finals against Coronado.

“Games can be super long [and can] beat you down,” Tellers said. Lasting the whole time and just being able to push through every single set and every single point, just to build up a win is so important. You’ve got [to have] the most amazing energy ever because [volleyball] is a game of energy. ”

For the semifinals against Coronado, Ngo realized the team needed to work on its communication and ability to quickly adapt to different playing styles.

After losing a close first set 27-25, Westview continued to fight for a win, but ultimately lost the second set 25-23.

“Coronado had a very strong offense,” Ngo said. “I feel like we adjusted [to] it too late. By the time we figured out how to solve it, the first set was already over. There were some balls that dropped that probably shouldn’t [have]. Communication is a huge factor. It comes from not being able to practice enough yet. We’re still really early in the season, [but] I’m optimistic that everyone will rise to the occasion”

Ngo said that despite the loss, it was a testimony to the team’s perseverance and showed them where they could improve.

“We definitely battled for sure, especially the first set,” Ngo said. “It was sad that we lost in the semi-finals, but it taught us a lot. 

My big motivation is to do it for the girls next to you, not just yourself. If you push each other, then it pushes you to play at your best.”