Be nervous, very nervous

By Michael Ashcraft --

After defeating Lighthouse soundly, La Verne's coach sauntered over to congratulate the LCA star, Allie Scribner, whom he assumed was a senior.

Lighthouse Christian Academy's coach Jessica Young corrected him. Allie is a freshman.

He did a double take.

The Saints limped ingloriously out of an otherwise glorious season Thursday against La Verne Luther High School, losing 15-25, 11-25, 15-25

But other teams would be wise not to exult. They did it with mostly freshmen and sophomores.

Allie was all over the place: her serves, sets, digs and hits. Her ferocity.

At the final, the Saints who played their hearts out wound up, many of them, in tears.

But they could take pride in their effort and their growth.

"Allie gave everything," said Coach Jessica. "Dahlia (Gonzalez) has never played a game that good in her life; she went to the next level. Clara (Czer) hit the best she can hit, and so did Roxy (Photenhauer). Frida (Macias) gave everything. Sarah (Montez) played an awesome, scrappy game.

"They all really pushed themselves to another level."

Team Captain Sarah might rue the fast dropout of finals. But she can go to college with fond memories with how far the Saints have advanced in four years.

"I can see the improvement from freshman year to senior year," Sarah said. "We made it to the playoffs, and we have never done that. I'm super proud of them."

"I'm gonna miss all the senior girls," said Frida. In addition to Sarah, Genesis Mendez and Heidy Hutchinson graduate.

The 2021 season was a herald that Lighthouse has the intention to return to glory days of championships in the past. The Saints had 8 wins and 3 losses.

"This was a great night; three seniors got to close out a season after not even getting to play last year due to Covid," said Jessica.

"This is the best we've ever played," said Hope Catalano. "Especially Dahlia, she kept getting amazing blocks. We worked hard together."

Why be nervous? Who be nervous?

Other teams because if LCA volleyball were competitive this year, they're only going to get better.

Also read other LCA games:
Vs. SFVA Oct. 12.Vs. Westmark School Oct. 7
Vs Summit View Sept. 29
Vs. Ojai Valley School Sept. 28.
Vs. SCVi Sept. 23.
Vs. Newbury Park Adventist Academy Sept. 9
Vs. Hillcrest Christian Sept. 15.
Vs. Gorman Learning Center Sept 16.

Michael Ashcraft teaches journalism at the Lighthouse Christian Academy, in Los Angeles, CA.