On an emotional night filled with tears and smiles, girls’ varsity volleyball honored their seniors in their final regular-season match on Tuesday, Oct. 28 against Half Moon Bay High School. The Panthers swept the Cougars in three tight sets, 25-18, 25-23, and 25-20. Although the sets were close, the team stayed positive throughout the match, securing the win and extending their winning streak to seven games.

Before the game, seniors walked with their loved ones through a tunnel of teammates, who handed them flowers and goodie bags. The team honored six seniors — libero Sam Hollrah, middle blocker Ava Scatena, setter Zoey Hakes, defensive specialist Sophia Guzman, and defensive specialist Adi Uhrich, as well as team manager Ellie Nyhus.

“It was senior night and we were all excited,” junior middle blocker Ruby Gemmer said. “I feel like we all just decided that we were gonna win.”

Throughout the match, neither team gained a substantial lead, trading points in a series of close sets. According to Hollrah, the game demonstrated the growing trust and support the Panthers built this season, as well as their ability to push themselves and fight for every point.

“It helped show our perseverance and drive throughout the season, because as the season went on, we definitely got stronger as a team,” Hollrah said. “And so ending with such a big win really showed all the progress we’ve made throughout the season.”

The night also marked the first senior night hosted in the new gym, which was decorated with posters for the seniors. The bleachers were filled with friends, family, and other supporters who came out to cheer on the team.

“I would say the atmosphere was super fun,” Hollrah said. “It was really nice just having everyone’s friends and family there supporting us, and I feel like that really boosted our energy on the court too.”

The game was a reflection of the season as a whole. Despite a slow start, the Panthers learned from their mistakes and corrected themselves, supporting each other throughout. Ultimately, they secured a Central Coast Section (CCS) playoff berth in Division 2. In their post-season run, they defeated Ann Sobrato High School on Nov. 4 in three sets, advancing further to play Monta Vista High School on Nov. 6.

“It’s a really good thing that we ended on a win, on a high note, and hopefully we can make it to CCS. And I feel like this game, this win, helped us to be able to go to CCS,” Gemmer said. “I feel like it left us all with a good feeling about the whole season.”

For head coach Hannah Korslund, the game was bittersweet. Although the season didn’t start as she hoped, she said she was proud of how the team adapted to improve their play. Korslund was happy with the season’s outcome, and glad that they secured a senior-night win.

“I certainly would have liked [our record] to be higher, but I think it tells the story of what we went through,” Korslund said. “We played a lot of tough teams, and we had a lot of growing to do early on. So, I think the trajectory of our season, I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

The Panthers finished the regular season with an 18-13 record after facing a challenging schedule.

“I feel like we could have done even better. I feel like we just didn’t start off as strong as we ended,” Gemmer said. “And I feel if we were the team that we are now, at the beginning, our record would have been a lot better. But overall, I feel like it’s a pretty good record and I feel like we did really well this season.”

The team also grew close this season, according to Hollrah and Gemmer. Hollrah said the team’s connection made them stronger as the season went on and played a large role in their success.

“Overall, I’d say it’s just the friends I’ve made throughout the team,” Hollrah said. “We were very close knit this season, and it was just really nice getting to make memories with them at tournaments and at our games together.”

Hollrah, who has been on the varsity team for three years, said the support from friends and family was important to her.

“It really was just such a special night,” Hollrah said. “I think having all of our family and friends who’ve seen us throughout our volleyball careers, and also feeling the support from our team and our coaches was just super special and very unmatchable. It was just a very fun, special night.”