Varsity girls volleyball team triumphs over Eastside in three sets

Emily+Mitnick+%2810%29+tips+a+ball+over+the+net+in+the+varsity+girls+volleyball+teams+game+on+Thursday.+The+team+defeated+Eastside+in+three+sets.+

Felix Chen

Emily Mitnick (10) tips a ball over the net in the varsity girls volleyball team’s game on Thursday. The team defeated Eastside in three sets.

The girls varsity volleyball team defeated Eastside on Thursday in a home game, winning all three sets 25-7, 25-10 and 25-9.

Harker quickly took the advantage in the first set, with Claire Kampmeier (12) scoring the first point and Rachel Ning (12) serving an ace. Within the first five minutes, the score rose to 9-5. The girls continued to score, gaining a 7-point lead through their communication and strong serves by Nat Tan (9), followed by cheers from the other Harker players. Eastside called a timeout, but the Eagles maintained their momentum, overtaking the set.

“I think we played very well, considering our starting middle was sick,” outside hitter Navya Samuel (10) said. “We missed a couple of serves, [but] I think we were able to set our hitters very effectively and we were able to manage how we played.”

The second half began with Eastside scoring. However, Harker quickly caught up through their strong blocking, often preventing the other team from passing the ball to the other side, especially by middle blocker Emily Mitnick (10). The set ended quickly, with Harker once again taking victory by 15 points.

“I’m really glad to see all the spirit and energy that all the people in the team brought,” spectator and ASB Spirit Coordinator Zubin Khera (12) said. “After every single point that we’d scored, there was always a roar from the people in the stands as well as the players. Everyone was really energetic and I’m glad that we could have such an awesome blowout.”

In the third set, the Eagles scored first, but Eastside quickly tied. After rallying with the other team for a bit, Harker widened the gap in the score, with Navya serving six aces in the set. Their efficient setting up and receiving allowed them to continuously score, solidifying their win in the final set. 

“I liked the fact that we were able to run the middle, which in volleyball terms is passing well in order to allow the setter to set quickly in the middle,” Head varsity volleyball coach Teresa Smith said.

The girls play Crystal Springs Uplands in an away game today at 6 p.m.

The varsity girls volleyball team cheer on the sidelines after a play at their home game last Thursday. “I’m really glad to see all the spirit and energy that all the people in the team brought,” spectator and ASB Spirit Coordinator Zubin Khera (12) said. “Everyone was really energetic and I’m glad that we could have such an awesome blowout.” (Anwen Hao)