Aliso Niguel High School’s beloved girls volleyball team ranks third place in the South Coast League, officially bringing their 2023 season to an end. Aliso’s volleyball players competed in a total of 28 games this year, and of those games, the team won 14 games and lost 14 games. This meant that they finished their year off with an overall 0.50 win percentage.
The team’s head coach, Richie Whiting, stated at the start of the year, “Our main goal is to continue creating trust and a strong team bond. If we do that, I believe we will find ourselves contending for a League championship again.”
The team, in accumulation, competed in nine League games, and out of those, the girls won five games and lost four games.
Even though they didn’t manage to win first place, their impressive third place qualified the team to advance and compete in the CIF playoffs. The team went on to play in the Southern Section Championship, and as they did, Wolverine students and families packed the Den with eager excitement to cheer on the girls.
For round one, Aliso Niguel’s volleyball players went up against the Corona del Mar High School Sea Kings on Oct. 19. Aliso managed to secure a win with a final score of 3-1.
The first match was 25-16, the second was 22-25, the third was 25-13 and finally, the last was also 25-13.
The second round wasn’t as successful for them as their first round was. They were defeated by the Orange Lutheran High Lancers with a final score of 3-2. This unfortunate loss knocked them out of the CIF playoffs. Players and fans were devastated and heartbroken afterwards, but spirits lifted as they remembered their highlights and memories from throughout the season.
Varsity team captain, Riley Barr (12), has been playing volleyball at Aliso Niguel High for the past four years. This game against Orange Lutheran concluded her final season at Aliso Niguel as a senior athlete.
Upon completing her last year, Barr said, “My biggest accomplishment was winning a South Coast League Award and making it to CIF… I felt accomplished and proud to end my career at Aliso. I had a really fun season.”
As of now, the coaches are rejoicing in another good volleyball season at ANHS with their cherished athletes while also preparing for the upcoming year. Barr remarks that players must “learn to cherish the moment because you will miss it when it is over.”
As both Coach Whiting and Assistant Coach, Lauren Jackson, look to the future, Whiting makes sure to keep in mind the fact that, “Because we have a history of success, every new group of players is determined to keep that legacy going.”
Aliso Niguel, girls volleyball players and fans included, hope for a more victorious upcoming season. But more importantly, they delight and take pleasure in the individual and team accomplishments and triumphs from throughout this 2023 season.
