![“[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 conquered Castilleja High School in two sets 25-3 and 25-15 in the Zhang Gymnasium on Sept. 24.
The Eagles took an early lead 8-0 in the first set with powerful serves from setter Emma Lee (10), who hit three consecutive aces. Following a series of kills by the Eagles and outs from the Gators, Castilleja called a time out. Captain and middle Kimi Yashar (11), opposite hitter Annabel Huang (10) and outside hitter Riya Samuel (10) executed more kills, improving Harker’s score to 19-2.
Harker went on a winning streak with multiple hits and blocks from opposite hitter Eden Ahluwalia (9). Kimi’s ace and Emma’s tip brought the score to 24-3, and outside hitter Ashley Zhou (9) finished off with a kill, ending the set 25-3. Kimi reflected on the team’s performance in the first set and position changes in the second set.
“We were all really excited to do some even crazier plays the next set,” Kimi said. “Then, the coach started moving around people’s positions, and we got to do a lot of stuff that we weren’t used to.”
The Gators opened the second set with a serve and multiple kills that left the Eagles trailing 0-8. The Eagles gained their first point of the set after the Gators hit the ball out of bounds. Both teams struggled with defense in the second set and won points off of the opposing team’s mistakes or inability to return passes within their own side of the court. Kimi’s tip tied the score to 12-12.
After setter Lily Ahluwalia (9) and outside hitter Aarya Vaidya (9) scored aces and kills respectively, the Eagles led 19-15. Harker began a 5-point winning streak with multiple saves from captain and libero Alexis Leo (10) and the Eagles won the second set 25-15 after a tool by Eden. Eden credited the team’s win to their shift in approach during the second set.
“Once we focused on communicating, we focused more on having fun than just winning,” Eden said. “I liked the last point in the second set when we all came together, cheering with smiles on our faces.”
Many players had to play in different positions this game for several teammates who were absent due to illness. Eden, who normally plays opposite hitter, filled in as a middle for Abby Liu (9). Kimi commended Eden for her quick ability to adapt and achievements throughout the game.
“Eden was playing a completely different position than what she usually plays, so the whole team came together to support her, and she got some crazy kills,” Kimi said. “She plays the same position that I do, so when she went in and got really big blocks I was really proud of her because she’s been working on that.”
Emma’s mother Cherie Yin praised the team for their resilience in the second set.
“At the beginning of the second set, they could have played better because we were 0 to 8 to the other school,” Yin said. “But then they finally came together and got it. The last [tool] was the highlight at the end of the game and everybody was happy.”
Junior varsity girls volleyball currently holds a league record of 5-0 and will play at Priory on Thursday.
