![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Live coverage: Girls volleyball challenges Sacred Heart Prep for CCS championship
The girls volleyball team poses with the CCS trophy. They defeated the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 25-12, 25-23, 25-14.
November 9, 2019
The Eagles defeated the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 25-12, 25-23, 25-14 to win the Central Coast Section (CCS) Division 4 title at Palo Alto High.
7:25 p.m. Upper School Athletic Director Dan Molin and Upper School Division Head Butch Keller have presented the trophy to the girls volleyball team, officially crowning them CCS Division 4 champions. Brackets for the NorCal championships will be released shortly – watch out on Harker Aquila for updates on the girls’ postseason run.
“Coming into CCS was a big thing for us, so to come back [after last year] and to win it all in the finals was a really big thing, and we’re all super excited because Sacred Heart Prep is our league rival,” Lauren said after the game. “I think [this win] will give us a lot more confidence coming in to NorCals for the next week. I [look forward] to see how far we can go.”
7:23 p.m. The teams have lined up along the baselines and await the award presentation.
7:19 p.m. The Harker varsity girls volleyball team has won the CCS Division 4 title in three sets, 25-12, 25-23, 25-14 following a kill from Emily Cheng.
7:17 p.m. Another kill from Anya, and it is game and match point for Harker at 24-12.
7:16 p.m. Anya gets the kill as the Eagles, up 23-11, are just two points away from being crowned CCS Division 4 champions.
7:15 p.m. Sacred Heart and Harker have been exchanging points, but the Eagles remain firmly in control 20-11.
7:08 p.m. The third set has been a one-sided affair so far, with the Eagles dominating to take a 15-4 lead.
7:06 p.m. Several more kills from Ashley put the Eagles up 11-2.
7:02 p.m. An ace from Tara inaugurated the second set, and after a kill from Ashley, the Eagles take an early 7-2 lead in the third set. The Gators take another timeout.
6:56 p.m. The Eagles take the second set 25-23, taking a commanding 2-set lead in the CCS finals.
6:54 p.m. As Sacred Heart, down 23-22, takes a timeout, the competing crowds burst into synchronized chants of “Lets Go Eagles” and “Lets Go Gators”.
6:53 p.m. After a back-and-forth, highly-contested point, a kill from Michelle puts the Eagles back up 22-21.
6:50 p.m. The Gators scored twice coming out of the timeout, giving them a 5-point lead, but the Eagles have rebounded and tied the set 20-20 after a block from Dylan and Ashley.
6:46 p.m. Consecutive kills from the Gators put Sacred Heart up 17-14 in the second set, forcing the Eagles to take their first timeout of the match.
6:45 p.m. After a kill from Lauren and a pair of kills from the Gators, the Eagles are down one point, 15-14.
6:42 p.m. The teams are neck-to-neck in the second set, with the Eagles narrowly leading 10-9.
6:38 p.m. After exchanging points, an error from Sacred Heart and a Harker kill ties the second set at 6-6.
6:34 p.m. The Gators begin the second set by taking three straight, giving them the 3-0 lead.
6:29 p.m. Another hit from Ashley allows Harker to win the first set 25-12.
6:28 p.m. A kill by Ashley brings the Eagles up 24-11.
6:27 p.m. Harker fails to block a hit by a player on the Gators and were unable to return a serve, yet Harker remains far ahead in the lead at 22-11.
6:25 p.m. The Eagles dominate, increasing their lead to 21-8 with kills from Michelle and Anya.
6:23 p.m. After a tip from Lauren, the Eagles are up 19-7. Sacred Heart Prep called another time out.
6:20 p.m. An ace from Ashley puts the score at 14-6.
6:19 p.m. A block by Dylan and Anya and an out by the Gators keep Harker in the lead at 12-6. Sacred Heart Prep called the first time out of the match.
6:16 p.m. After an out by the Gators and a missed serve from the Eagles, a kill by Ashley Jazbec (12) brings the score to 9-5.
6:15 p.m. The Gators fight to come back, with a successful block winning them two more points. Regardless, Harker is able to stay ahead, currently at 7-3 after an ace from Carolyn Lu (10).
6:13 p.m. Another two kills by Lauren brings the score to 4-1 in favor of the Eagles.
6:12 p.m. The Gators retaliate, tying the score at 1-1, but a tip over the net by Lauren allows Harker to reclaim the lead.
6:11 p.m. The game begins with Tara serving the ball and an immediate kill by Lauren, putting the Eagles up 1-0.
6:07 p.m. Before the game, the announcer introduces all players and coaches on both teams. The Eagles are coached by Theresa “Smitty” Smith and Stephanie Coleman, and tonight’s starters will be Dylan Williams (11), Anya Gert (12), Lauren Beede (12), Emma Dionne (11), Emily Cheng (12), Michelle Ning (11), Tara Ozdemir (10).
5:42 p.m. Slightly delayed, the game will begin in twenty minutes. Both teams are currently warming up, as the bleachers steadily fill up with students, faculty, and families from Harker and Sacred Heart Prep.
Captain Lauren Beede (12) hits the ball over the net during the team’s warm up.
4:00 p.m. The varsity girls volleyball team (19-8) are slated to take on the Sacred Heart Prep Gators (23-10) in the Division 4 CCS finals at 5:30 p.m. today at Palo Alto High School.
The Eagles are coming off a 25-18, 25-10, 25-8 win against Pacific Grove High School on Nov. 5 in the quarterfinals and a 25-23, 25-13, 25-15 win against Harbor High School on Nov. 7 in the semifinals. Today’s match against the Gators will be the third time the two teams face each other this season. Although Harker defeated Sacred Heart Prep in three sets during their most recent match in October, they previously lost to the Gators earlier in league.
Regardless, the girls are hopeful for a win and the chance to move on to the NorCal tournament. Harker’s full roster can be viewed here and Sacred Heart Prep’s here. Keep checking this link for live coverage of the pivotal match.
