Samo perseveres through tough game against El Segundo

On Tuesday, Sept. 25, Samo’s girls volleyball team played in a nail-biting match against El Segundo. The game lasted all five sets, ending in a hard-earned win for Samo.The first set started off strong for Samo with a powerful spike into the ground by Ella Dreibholz (’21). Though Samo continued to play well throughout the set, the teams were evenly matched and each fought hard for their own points. In a close game that could have gone to anyone, El Segundo stole the first set with a score of 24-26.With shouts of support from the many of Samo’s other sports teams, Samo’s volleyball team was ready to take on set two. Players such as Tabitha Mitchell (’21) were especially grateful for this show of support.“It was super fun having so many sports teams at our rival game! The team’s intensity went way up and we loved the audience - it livened the gym!” Mitchell said.Though El Segundo began ahead, Samo brought the score to 7-7 before taking the lead through the end of the set. With great blocking from Georgia Fischer (’21), the second set was handed to Samo 25-16.Samo kept up the hard work throughout the third set despite El Segundo trying hard to stop them. The lead traded off every few minutes, but in the end El Segundo pulled ahead 23-25.Going into the fourth set, Samo was full of adrenaline. Winning this set was necessary in order to stop El Segundo from taking the win. Under this pressure, the girls played strong and with no mercy. They won the set *score*The pressure doubled with the fifth set, but after winning the fourth Samo would let nothing stop them. Using all their energy, strength and trusting one another, the girls played extraordinarily. They won the set 17-15, earning a win for Samo!The game was not easy and the team deserved their win after the hard, long game. Co-captain and setter Dylan Leight (’20) is proud of how her team played through the challenges and is now even more confident they will play well throughout the rest of the season.“I felt like I wasn’t playing my best, but having my team and their energy behind me allowed us to pull through and win a tough match. After yesterday, it showed us that we can play 5 sets and still win, so I feel really good going into tomorrow’s game [against Culver City] knowing that we won’t give up,” Leight said.