Lively chatter fills the school bus as varsity girls soccer team members file down the aisle, squeezing into the cramped rows between teammates and backpacks. With an hour-long journey to their opponent’s field, they make themselves comfortable, pulling out pregame snacks and singing along to upbeat songs. As the bus speeds down Interstate 280, the players inside exchange embarrassing stories and share laughter, taking advantage of the opportunity to grow closer together.

“I love away games mainly because of the bus ride,” varsity girls soccer player Ronica Khattri (10) said. “Hanging out with my team while listening to music and playing games on the bus is a great way for us to build chemistry on the field and friendships along the way.”

One of the rare occasions where the whole team can spend time together, bus rides allow players to build connections with their teammates. 

Varsity boys basketball head coach Alfredo Alves noted that players from different grades and social groups do not interact frequently outside of their sport-related activities.

“Throughout the season, there are times when we try to do things to get the team to bond, but naturally I see the majority of the team hang out in different groups,” Alves said. “With this team, I see the seniors with the seniors and the juniors with the juniors.”

To maximize athletes’ performance, training often consists of running drills from start to finish, and water breaks serve as rare occasions to rehydrate and rest. Although they may know that their goalkeeper is left-footed or their point guard has a strained muscle, athletes cannot truly get to know their teammates solely on the field.

“There are not a lot of times where we get to just sit with each other and talk,” varsity boys tennis player Yinan Zhou (12) said. “The time between practices is really when we get to know each other not just as teammates but as fellow students. We get to know our personalities besides what we see on the court.”

It’s not just the teammates that make bus rides so impactful –– bus drivers also play an important role in setting the tone for a pre or post-match drive. From hype playlists to celebration music, they contribute to bolstering team morale.

Alves remembers an instance, more than 10 years ago when he coached the varsity girls basketball team, where the bus ride amplified the team’s post-game celebration.

“We had just won the championship game, and the bus driver, Dan Hughes, was playing the song ‘We Are the Champions’ nice and loud while we were walking into the bus,” Alves said. “That was a touching moment. The team was very pleased, and he was celebrating with us, so that was a great moment.”

Beyond fostering solidarity and friendship, bus rides can also serve a strategic purpose. With all of their training and games taking place off-campus, the varsity boys tennis team prioritizes transportation time as not only an opportunity to bond but also a tool to enhance their performance. On the way to matches, the team often discusses their opponents’ strengths,  analyzing their key players and predicted lineups. 

“It really sets a competitive mood in the bus while we’re driving there,” Yinan said. “It sets this serious tone of ‘We’re gonna plan this before we get there’ and ‘We’re going to fight against the other team.’”

Additional reporting by Claire Xu.