By Emery Lewis, Opinion Editor
This year El Camino’s Girls Varsity Volleyball team is starting off the season overall with five wins and seven losses. Though the team hasn’t won every game, they believe they are stronger than last year with co-captains Dorsey Booth (‘24), Hannah Hall (‘24), and Nikita Protsenko (‘24), who are all hopeful for this season as the team is showing a promising chance at making it to the playoffs.
The team’s tight bond and trust in each other on and off the court is a huge part of this early-season improvement. Hall mentioned that they engage in team lunch before games and start games off with pre-game rituals along with cheers to get them ready for the court.
Protsenko has been playing volleyball for five years and works hard to keep the team encouraged by guiding her teammates and not being afraid to be loud. Protsenko says this season has been good because of how well the team collaborates.
“The fact that we’re able to get along outside of practice and outside of the games makes us stronger as a team because we trust each other more— we know how to calm each other down,” she stated.
For the team to have the best chance to make it to the playoffs, they are looking to beat Vista Del Lago and Rio Americano in upcoming games that will take place in October.
Hall, who has now been playing volleyball for five years, said that her favorite game this season so far has been the Rio game that took place earlier this month because the team demonstrated how well they’re able to play.
“I really liked when we played Rio because even though we didn’t win, we were really keeping up with them this season—it felt good because it feels like we could actually go to playoffs,” Hall said.
An important part of being a team captain is finding ways to motivate their other teammates. Booth is currently in her fourth year on varsity. As a co-captain, part of the job is to motivate the team during a tough game and keep the team focused.
“[It’s] being like the second man to the coach I guess, that connection between the players and the coach—and then getting hyped, I think it’s pretty easy to get this team hyped,” Booth said.
Protsenko mentioned having supporters in the stands is crucial to bring high energy into the game.
“When we don’t have people in the stands, our energy is low on the court,” she said.
Fans can support the Eagles at the next varsity volleyball game at EC on Sept. 25 versus Del Campo at 6:30 p.m. To see all games this season go to elcaminoathletics.com.
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