Girls volleyball advances to state

As the fall sports season comes to a close, the Samo girls volleyball team is still intensely competing as they head into the 2017 CIF state bracket. After their strong season with an overall score of 8-2, the team will be moving on to the state level competition despite losing their local CIF championship game.The girls played at a high skill level the entire season, losing only once to Culver City High School. This was volleyball player Channing Baker’s (’20) first year on varsity, and she was extremely proud of the team’s performance.“We played with skill and were able to improve together throughout the season. I’m so proud of how far we come, and definitely think we will continue to be strong in the future,” Baker said. The fall season was great for the team, and as it begins to wind down the girls have been reflecting on a season of improvement. The girls have all grown as individual athletes and as a full team throughout the past few months, and it is hard for the girls to say goodbye to the seniors as they play their last games. Despite the end of their local season, it is important that they stay focused and begin to prep for their upcoming game against Del Norte, their first game in the state CIF championships. It will be an extremely competitive game and will challenge the skill of the Samo team. Varsity player Annalise Wille (’20) knows that it will be a tough game but still believes that they have chance at victory.“It definitely will be our hardest opponent to beat, but I know that our team is skilled and a strong group of girls, so there is definitely a chance we can win and progress to the next round of state,” Wille said. As the team celebrates their great season, nerves are running high as they prepare for their upcoming match against Del Norte. All of Samo is rooting for their success, and believes in the girls as they get ready to play on Nov. 15.