Incandescent light floods the large gymnasium. Shoes squeak against the glossy wooden floor gym floor. The atmosphere is lively and cheerful. Brightly decorated posters depicting the names “Jackie Chen”, “Shannon Richardson” and “Doreene Kang” hang around the gym, while strands of balloons in bright white and green stand out against the now chipped away dark green and white walls of the gym. The deafening roar of the crowd grows louder as the three bubbly girls run underneath the tunnel their fellow teammates made. Dazzles of green and white and silver swirl around in the air as the onlooking supporters wave their pompoms and signs.

Varsity girls volleyball won their senior night home game 3-0 against Mercy Burlingame on Thursday, placing them 18-8 overall and 9-1 in league.

Before the game, head coach Theresa “Smitty” Smith honored seniors Jacqueline Chen, Shannon Richardson and Doreene Kang as the junior varsity girls made a tunnel with their arms for them to run through. They were also presented with bouquets of flowers and colorful, ornate posters as the crowds cheered loudly.

The girls started the game with a solid first set, winning with a score of 25 to 10. The second set was a closer game, but the girls still won against the other team with a score of 25 to 14. They finished the third set with a score of 25 to 11.

Jacqueline reflected on the support of her fellow teammates and her experiences during her four years playing volleyball at the Upper School.

“It was really fun, everyone came to support me–my advisory even came– and my team put so much effort into everything,” Jacqueline said. “This is one of my favorite teams. These four years have been painful and tiring but it was all worth it.”

Fellow team member Isabella Spradlin (10) talks about one of the reasons why she looked forward to playing volleyball this year.

“One of the reasons I really wanted to play in varsity this year was to get to play with the seniors,” she said. “Playing with them, it’s a really great group of girls, and it’s so much fun being on the team with all of them. I’ll really miss them next year.”

Coach Smitty feels that although senior nights are always bittersweet moments, they are also exciting and fun events.

“It’s sad because I love these kids,” she said. “They’ve been on the team forever and they’ve been at the school forever so when they finally leave, it’s sad, but it’s a happy time too; it’s always nice to see all their friends come out to support them so it’s half and half.”

Shannon, the captain of the team, thought back on her favorite memory with the team this year and how it really helped bring them closer together.

“I think this year, one of the best memories was when we went to Santa Cruz as a team and just bonded in the beginning of the year,” she said. “It was a really fun experience.

Doreene talked about what she would like to tell her fellow teammates who have yet to graduate.

“Playing varsity is definitely tough but if the [fellow members] do continue, I’m really proud of them if they manage to make it all the way to senior year because it’s really nice to have a senior night and finish your season because you feel really rewarded for your four years of playing,” she said.

The varsity girls will play round one of the CCS play-offs against a to be determined team next Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Ashley Jiang

Senior Doreene Kang and Sophomore Isabella Spradlin attempt to block a shot at the varsity team's senior night match.