Photo courtesy of Isla Smith

After warming up, the final 6 took stepped onto the court.

AGHS Girls’ Beach Volleyball has solidified their place at the top, capturing the CIF Central Section championship title, while achieving remarkable success on the court.

“Seeing the varsity girls win CIF last year gave me the hope that we could do it again this year,” player Isla Smith (‘27) said. “I just tried to keep dedication throughout the season.”

The team turned their attention to the sun-soaked sands, where they retained their athletic dominance, and they’ve now won two CIF championships in a row. 

“The weather affected how we played majorly. It was 80 degrees outside and the sand was burning,” Smith said. “With that, you tire way quicker than usual, so trying to conserve your energy [helps you] to play better.” 

The team tried to adapt to the weather conditions as best as they could, setting them apart from their competitors. The final game was challenging, but the girls secured yet another CIF championship title.

“[We] prepare for heat and hot sand. Focus on making our serves tough and keeping our passing system. The heat and pressure of tough matches come with huge consequences, players tend to try to do things they don’t normally do,” coach Bryan Strickland said. “We just focus on playing the volleyball we’ve played all season.” 

Through lots of hard work, the team was able to get where they are today. They put their all into each practice almost every day of the week, trying to prove their spot on the team. 

“[We won this CIF title] through lots of practice and preparation,” Srickland said. “We practice more than any other school.”

However, with this hard work comes an expectation of winning the CIF title. After winning the title last year, the girls want to become a legacy, continuing to win while simultaneously improving their skills.

“Being part of the team last year but not playing on varsity gave me an interesting perspective, like I can be a part of something, and keep growing,” Smith said. “I thought that the culture that this team fosters is super cool, and I loved being a part of it.”

As the community celebrates this remarkable season, AGHS Girls’ Beach Volleyball stands as a symbol of dedication, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence.

“This team put their all into everything they did without ever backing down or giving up,” player Skye Smit (‘27) said. “It always gave me something to look up to for next year, and [I’m] super excited to see what my future holds within beach volleyball.”

The future looks bright for this team, as they continue to set new standards and inspire the next generation of student athletes.