![“[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)
Junior varsity girls volleyball triumphed over Castilleja 25-11, 25-18 at home on Sept. 19.
Harker opened the game by scoring the first five points. After the Castilleja Gators rallied to within three points, middle blocker Eden Kelly (10) scored three quick points, bringing the score to 11-5 before Harker called a time out.
After a strong serve from co-captain and outside hitter Alison Yang (11), which brought the score to 22-9, Castilleja went on a 3-0 run. Opposite hitter Annabel Huang (9) finished off the first set 25-11.
“[The game] went well,” co-captain and setter Yifan Li (11) said. “There were some parts where we needed a little bit more energy. We were a little more quiet. There’s just some things we need to work on, like talking even when the other side is a little more quiet.”
In the second set, Harker pulled forward quickly 11-6, prompting a timeout from Castilleja. The Gators then pushed to tie the game at 12 and soon took their first lead at 13-12. The Eagles responded by going on a 9-3 run, bringing the score to 21-15. After a short 3-0 run from Castilleja, Harker capped off the set 25-18.
“My passing today was fine, but in general I need to work on it,” Riya Samuel (9) said. “[I’m looking forward to] getting better [and] improving over the season.”
The team cheered each other on throughout the game. They also tried out new positions and worked on the weaknesses in their game.
“We worked on some hitting defense, when a ball is overpassed, how to react to it on the net and how to be comfortable on the net,” Head Coach Danielle Buis said. “I think the girls really applied that. We just learned it yesterday and they did a really great job of putting it into play today.”
Coach Buis highlighted the team’s hard work and camaraderie in practice. She talked about her excitement in watching the team continue to improve and learn through their efforts and positivity.
“They love each other so much,” Buis said. “It’s so cute to see them all bond, but I think continuing with that to transition into pushing each other to play better. I think we are venturing into that for the rest of the season.”
The team holds a 5-0 overall record and will face Crystal Springs Uplands at home on Thursday.
