By Christine Garcia
On Tuesday, Sep. 26, the Fountain Valley High School girls’ volleyball varsity team suffered a loss against Newport Harbor, with a score of 0-3.
The match unfolded in the vibrant atmosphere of the Baron gymnasium at 5:45 p.m. Amidst an enthusiastic crowd, the players displayed unwavering focus and determination. The first set ended at 13-25, the second set ended at 14-25 and the third set ended at 13-25.
After the intense game, junior Maylynn Pham shared her thoughts on the team’s overall performance.
“I thought like it was hard for us to start strong,” Pham said. “It was something it’s been something that we’ve been trying to work on in practice. And I think that’s part of why it led to a loss.”
Notable players were sophomore Katie Dinh, junior Dezi-Jae Butler and outside hitter, sophomore Kileigh Villalobos.
Dinh skillfully dove for every ball that came below the net and was a key player when it came to receiving the ball for the Barons.
Butler stood out, due to her consistent setting and durable blocking of the Newport Harbor’s hard-hitting spikes.
Villalobos became a value player in the third set with her unpredictable, strong kills, leaving Newport stranded at sea.
In an interview with the Barons’ coach, Rebecca Cheltenham, she acknowledged the need for improvement in certain areas and emphasized the importance of mental resilience. Nevertheless, she took pride in the team’s standout plays, including powerful blocks, impressive kills, and remarkable digs.
“We had a few really big blocks,” Cheltenham said. “Those really helped us we had some really good kills on the outside and some really good digs.
Despite the defeat that the Barons suffered on that Tuesday, the crowd did not fail to support them. Their cheers and encouraging chants resonated throughout the stadium, uplifting the team’s spirit.
The Barons will next play at Laguna Beach High School on Tuesday.
