The Gryphon Gazette

By Rohan D. ‘25

The exhilarating roar of triumph from the Crystal families and fans who had made the trek to Santa Ana echoed through the gymnasium at Santiago Canyon College as the Northern California Division V Champion Crystal Girls Volleyball team clinched the Division V State Championship title in a gripping match against the Oceanside Pirates, the winners of the Southern Section. The Gryphons won the match by prevailing in the fifth and final tiebreaker set, winning it 15-11.

A Feat of Grit and Teamwork

From the onset, the match was a rollercoaster of emotions. Being down 1-0 in the state championship would be stressful for most teams. But not the Gryphons. Even though they had lost the first set 17-25, they displayed remarkable composure and agility in the following sets while rallying against the Pirates. Setter Alexa T. ‘24 stated, “In the first set we made a lot of unforced errors because all of our nerves were high. We had a lot of pressure because we had never made it that far. But losing the first set didn’t mean we would lose the game. We have lost the first set before and come back, so we knew we could still win it.”

The Gryphons continued to fight together and won the next two sets, 25-23 and 25-13, respectively. Now leading the game 2-1, pin hitter (right side) Gaby T. ‘25 said, “I was confident we were going to win, but I wanted to make sure that we didn’t get complacent, and that we maintained our energy and our push throughout the rest of the game.”

A Fierce Battle

The game’s intensity was palpable, with both teams delivering strong hits, impeccable blocks, and tough serves. Oceanside showcased their prowess, refusing to concede easily, setting the stage for an electrifying finish, and winning the fourth set 25-16 to force the tiebreaker set. Middle blocker Petra H. ‘26 commented, “As a team, we had been in situations before where we were comfortable and lost either the third or fourth set, so it isn’t exactly new territory. We came together as a team and discussed what we could do differently, such as fixing little mistakes and miscommunication.”

However, the Gryphons never backed down, bringing their best to the final set of their season. In the huddle before the set, Head Coach Chelby Spray told the team, “Stay together, continue to talk, stick to our plans. When there is empty time in between points, you need to take the time to discuss what you need to do. Trust yourselves and realize how far you have come. You just have to win one more set.”

Middle blocker Ella B. ‘25 added, “By the 5th set, I knew it was going to be a push, but I also did not have much doubt that we were going to get it done. These high-pressure situations are what we have prepared for all season and have faced time and time again. This push is where we shine.”

The Decisive Moment

Early in the final set, the Gryphons were down 2-1. But then, they won a point to side out, giving the serve to libero Bianca S. ‘25. When she started serving, the score was 2-2. With Bianca’s serves, the Gryphons continued to rack up the points. “I was thinking, ‘Oh, my God, please don’t lose your momentum!’” said Ms. Kate Tomatis, one of Crystal’s English teachers and biggest fans. “But I had a feeling that they could do it if they kept pushing and didn’t let up for a second. Bianca’s serving was great and they were playing smart. They should have won the fourth set, but we kept it exciting!”

Bianca ended up going on a 10-point serving run to put the Gryphons up 11-2 in the final set, tying the California state record for most aces in a state final game with 10 in the process. “I never expect to ace someone, but you just know when it’s a good serve. I don’t go into serving with expectation, but it is important to keep your serve in to keep your team in the game,” Bianca remarked. “At that moment, I knew we were going to win because we had more energy and composure, and a better sense of urgency compared to the other team.”

Oceanside was able to claw back a few more points, but not before the Gryphons won the state championship on a kill from freshman outside hitter and floor captain Ellie Lee. Ellie said, “It was kind of a Hail Mary hit, so I was kind of shocked when [the opponent] shanked the ball and it hit the ground. I was really excited when I saw the ball hit the ground, and it was a pretty magical moment because I knew we were going to have a big celebration.”

A Momentous Victory

After Ellie’s championship point, the Gryphons erupted and collapsed on each other in elation, and the deafening cheers from the Crystal fans rejoicing could be heard throughout the entire gymnasium. 

Celebrations and Future Aspirations

The team attributes part of their success to the fans, who traveled hundreds of miles throughout the season to support the team. Another Crystal fan, Jack O. ‘24, remarked, “It was incredible to be a part of such a special moment for our school. I really enjoyed watching the team succeed and attending their games. It was a much-needed success story for me, as this was all in the wake of an unfortunate end to our football season.”

This first-ever state championship victory stands not only as a testament to their athleticism but also as a reflection of the indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication of every volleyball player as well as her family and friends. Crystal’s win will forever be etched in the annals of school history—a cherished memory of resilience, unity, and true teamwork.