As the year comes to a close, spring sports are beginning to near the end of their seasons. Beach volleyball started practices right after winter break, but now only a few weeks remain. This season, the beach volleyball team has played through almost all earthly elements: wind, rain and sunshine.
Before we visit some of this season’s moments, let’s review some rules of beach volleyball. Instead of a traditional indoor format, beach volleyball is played in pairs, with a full team made up of five pairs. It is best played out of three sets: the first two to 21 points and the third to 15 points. The court is also smaller since there are fewer players, but most rules remain about the same with minor changes. This season has gone by fast, but as the Royals take on their last few matches, let’s recap some highlights from this season.
One of the highlights of beach volleyball is playing along the coast of Southern California at different beaches. From San Clemente to Long Beach, the Rosary Beach Volleyball team has competed against schools across the region. A perk of playing at the beach is getting to go in the water after games and maybe even catching the sunset. Tatyana Maldonado ’27 and Maddie Kim ’27 can attest to enjoying some post-game activities. Tatyana shares, “I love the connections I was able to make and grow during the season. After games, I love enjoying the beach and hanging out with my friends.” Yes, that is a great point! I definitely love all of this and am even enjoying a treat with some teammates after.
While the weather has changed a lot in the last few months, beach volleyball players have felt all these changes a little more. The rain presented some challenges, but nevertheless, we still played. Since beach volleyball is an outdoor sport, unless there is lightning, the game will go on. When asked about playing in rainy conditions, Lucia Bernard ‘29 said, “My favorite memory during beach was playing in the rain against El Dorado; the rain was inconsistent: it was either a heavy downpour or something lighter. We would all huddle under the tent to stay out of the rain before we had to play. The best part of it all, though, was someone’s mom bringing all of us Starbucks hot chocolate.” Despite the pouring rain, we played in the muddied sand and enjoyed the hot cocoa!
As the last round of league closes out, Royals are bittersweet about it. For me, I am excited for all the end of the year senior activities, but sad my last season has come to an end. Another senior, Aurora Ortuno, also shares some of these feelings: “I am both happy and sad. Happy because I can be fully present for the end of my senior year. Sad because I’ve created so many bonds with the underclassmen, and I feel so motherly towards them that I want to put them in my pocket and take them with me to college.” I definitely agree with that and am glad we have been able to bond with the team during this season; we will definitely miss them next year. Speaking of seniors, beach volleyball will honor four seniors on Wednesday, April 1: Kate Duarte, Maddie Lambros, Aurora Ortuno and me, Addison Felix. Senior night will be a fun way to celebrate the end of the season and enjoy some last moments as a senior!
If you haven’t been to a beach volleyball game yet, make sure to catch one before the season ends. You can even enjoy a nice beach day after watching some of the Royals play!
