Girls’ volleyball lost to Oak Ridge High School (25-12, 25-23, 25-11, 25-21) in the second round of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Championships on Thursday, Nov. 18 in a hard-fought battle. The loss officially ended the team’s season, finishing with a 21-8 overall and 13-1 Peninsula Athletic League (PAL) Bay record.
The Panthers were unable to advance past Archbishop Mitty in the Central Coast Section (CCS) Open Division. However, they secured a victory against Head-Royce on Tuesday, Nov. 16 in the CIF State playoffs to face Oak Ridge.
Despite the loss, the season still contained a number of positive accomplishments. Burlingame were the co-PAL Bay League Champions this season, sharing the title with rival Menlo Atherton High School. In addition, senior co-captain Ella Duong earned the PAL Bay league Most Valuable Player award.
Despite the overall successful season, the team is still disappointed with the playoff loss to No. 2-seeded Oak Ridge.
“It was disappointing for most of us. In my opinion, we were the better team, and it wasn’t a game we should have lost. And I think to end the season [losing] to a team that’s worse than you is a really hard loss,” senior Sophia Geminder said.
Burlingame was trailed early in the first set of the match against Oak Ridge, and it felt like the Trojans had the advantage. However, freshman Elaina Newman’s serves brought the Panthers back into the game. Newman earned continuous points for the team to regain the momentum.
“I think we’re down almost 10 points and Elaina Newman steps to the serving line and serves us like almost 10 points to get us back into it [the game],” head coach Hannah Korslund said. “[And while she was serving] I think Oak Ridge called two time outs on her serve, and that just shows you how this team was fighting for their senior season, for their seniors high school careers to continue, and for that effort and execution to come to a freshman, I think shows a lot of promise for the future.”
Junior Samantha Hollrah also was a stronghold for the defensive side, keeping the team steady and as Duong consistently executed her kills despite tough opposition.
With five seniors graduating this year, girls varsity volleyball will have some big shoes to fill. Nevertheless, Korslund believes the current returning roster is capable of stepping up. Newman and Ilsa Carlson are expected to be great assets for the team in the future.
At the beginning of the season, Duong put an emphasis on improving her leadership skills for her younger teammates.
“One of the biggest [goals] was being a better leader and trying to have more of a voice on this team. This was something that I didn’t get to have my sophomore and freshman year because I was younger and I hope I made an impact on not only the seniors but the younger ages as well so they kind of know what we kind of expect from them as the legacy of Burlingame volleyball continues,” Duong said.
Reflecting on their pre-season aspirations, junior Samantha Hollrah admits that the postseason was challenging and disappointing but is proud of what the team accomplished.
“I think we’ve accomplished so much this season and pushed past what we expected to do this season. Being co-league champs [with Menlo Atherton] and making it to open a CCS. Even though it was tough towards the end of the postseason, being in the open [division] is such an accomplishment and great recognition. I’m very proud of all the accomplishments this season,” Hollrah said.
Korslund is thankful for the seniors’ contributions during their time on the team, and said while the season didn’t end the way she had hoped, it was still a positive and important experience.
“I’ve known this group since they were sophomores, and so it just gets harder and harder to say goodbye to these seniors,” Korslund said. I always want them to miss volleyball and to miss high school sports, because it means it was special to them. And so I’ll miss this group. They’re really special to me as well, and grateful for all they’ve done for the program.”
