![“[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)
Frosh and sophomore girls volleyball team loses to Harbor in two sets
Alicia Ran (10) sets the ball in the frosh and sophomore girls volleyball game on Tuesday. The team fell to Harbor High School in two sets, 21-25 and 12-25 at their away game.
September 1, 2022
The frosh and sophomore girls volleyball team fell to Harbor High School in two sets, 21-25 and 12-25, away at Harbor this Tuesday.
Harker started the first set with strong serves, but Harbor was quick to tie the score. After exchanging points evenly, Harbor pushed forward with difficult serves until Harker called a timeout at 12-16. Harker fought back with a strong offense to 16-19, but Harbor kept their lead and took the set 21-25. Outside hitter Nandini Chandrashekhar (9) reflects on the progress the team made during practice.
“[In practice,] we worked on how to position ourselves and how to follow up with blocking,” Nandini said. “I think we incorporated it in the game, so we’re improving on that.”
In the beginning of the second set, the team volleyed back and forth, but Harbor widened their lead with a strong offense and tough serves. At 10-21, Harker called a timeout but was unable to gain momentum and after a long rally, lost the set at 12-25.
“I think before this game — the middle blockers — we didn’t really know what to do,” middle blocker AJ Hacigumus (9) said. “But this time we knew the steps and we knew when to block.”
The girls frosh and sophomore volleyball team plays next Wednesday at home against Milpitas High School at 3:45 p.m. Coach Diana Melendez anticipates seeing the team develop their volleyball skills in the coming games.
“What I’m excited for this team is to see them finally feel comfortable in their own positions, getting the rotations and getting the serves in,” Melendez said. “They’re pretty eager to learn the game itself, so I’m looking forward to seeing it all finally come into play.”
