Just yesterday, Cal High boys’ volleyball kicked off league play with a statement win against El Rancho. Entering the match with a 6-8 record, the squad dominated in a decisive 3-0 sweep, extending their current winning streak to five games. This first league victory is crucial for playoff seeding and puts the rest of the Del Rio League on notice. If the Condors can maintain this defensive wall and minimize service errors, they are well on their way to contending for a top spot. “It was great competition,” concluded Senior Varsity player Cruz Brown. “I had a lot of fun.”
The boys are bouncing back from a rough start, having spent the early season adapting and learning how to play as a unit. Now, it seems they have finally found their groove. Senior Joaquin Enriquez noted, “We started off slow, losing to teams we shouldn’t have been losing to, but now we’re picking things up, and I know we can continue this into the playoffs.”
This shift was further proven by a recent defeat of Sunny Hills—another whopping 3-0 sweep. “Sunny Hills has always been a challenge these past few years, and we had the chance to rematch them and beat them in their own gym,” said Varsity Senior Daniel Vargas.
However, the core of this team isn’t just the scores or the wins; the heart is the team culture itself. Recent Varsity alumnus Vincent Bravo shared, “I miss the brotherhood and the memories, like playing an important match where the stakes are high.” He described the team as “competitive, determined, and exciting,” and looks forward to catching the team in action at a game later this year.
The bond within the program is evident and inspires younger players to get in on the action. JV freshman Eli Toyoshiba explained, “It teaches me to be patient and also be a team player—it makes me feel like I’m a part of something.” Eli is over the moon to be playing this year, adding, “I’m looking forward to when I go in the front row and set the perfect ball, and then we bank it.”
This excitement extends to Sophomore Liam Faulhammer, a new JV player moving up from the Frosh-Soph team. “I always have a lot of fun when we play, even if we are losing,” Faulhammer said. “The adrenaline is unbeatable.”
Similar to Bravo, Joaquin and Daniel both agreed they would miss “playing together as one whole team.” More importantly, as Daniel put it: “I will miss my coaches and my teammates. My coaches are one of the main reasons why I fell in love with the sport and why I feel the need to be the best
I can be on the court.” The team has formed an undeniable bond, with Daniel adding, “My teammates are always there for me and always supporting me… they always cheer me up and help me pick myself up.”
As the season continues, the players are keeping the wise words of their former teammate, Vincent, in mind: “Enjoy every moment and play your hardest. Whether you play after high school or you don’t, you will for sure miss the team and the environment.” The road ahead won’t be easy, but the Condors have proven they can handle the pressure of a rematch and the weight of high expectations. With every 3-0 sweep, the goal of a deep playoff run moves from a distant hope to a tangible reality. If yesterday’s win over El Rancho is any indication, Cal High isn’t just playing to participate—they are playing to win it all.
