Three games into the preseason, the Girls Varsity Volleyball team is struggling to establish their footing. With only four varsity returners from the previous season and a total of four injuries, the Rams have a record of 1-4.
The Rams opened their season with a 2-0 loss to Pasadena Polytechnic and went on to lose their next two games at San Gabriel and Mark Keppel without several key players.
“The team is doing very well given that it is many of the players’ first varsity year,” Senior Summer Hofstad said. “It’s a big jump from J.V. to varsity and they are doing a great job adapting to the environment.”
The Rams found retribution at the El Monte tournament on Sept. 13, where the girls placed fourth place out of twelve. Winning these games gave the Rams a much needed confidence boost and vital game experience going into league play.
Senior Team Captains Hofstad and Greta Xiong have suffered sprained knees and Juniors Lydia Kao and Teresa Tran have faced tendinitis and a compound fracture on the finger, respectively.
“We’re learning to readjust and play to our strengths,” Junior Katie Xiong said. “We’re trying to get back to where we were before.”
Three of the four players lost to injuries have been cleared to return playing by doctors over the past week after recovering, resulting in a boost of morale and new hope for the team as they look forward to league play.
“We’re all physically capable of making good plays,” G. Xiong said. “It’s going to take some work to overcome the mental hurdles.”
Due to the team’s numerous injuries, many young players have been forced to step up and perform at a high level, including Freshman Serena Gray, who has emerged as the team’s starting middle blocker after perfoming well during the summer.
“It’s definitely different from playing for Oak or the club team I was on,” Gray said. “It’s harder because the practices and games are longer than I’m used to. I think I’m handling it well. My teammates are all very helpful.”
The Rams will face the Monrovia Wildcats on Oct. 2 to begin league play.