Calla High School made history on Sept. 15 by competing in its first school-organized athletic event. The Lobos traveled to Stein High School of Tracy and participated in a four-school round-robin volleyball tournament. Calla High School finished the day with three wins and two losses, enough to capture second place for the day’s effort.
The Lobos got two wins against host school Stein and one against Village Oaks of Stockton. They lost twice to tournament champion Yosemite of Merced.
The second-place finish was a grand testament to the team’s and coaches’ dedication, as this was the first time many of the Lobos competed in a team sport and the game of volleyball. They had a short time to learn and practice before taking the floor at Stein.
“Tryouts began late in August, and we needed to learn the game quickly,” said coach Tara Maruyama. “I was excited for the turnout, and the students did a great job picking up the rules, getting to know each other, and learning how to work as a team.”
Since Calla High School doesn’t have an indoor volleyball court, the team had to travel to various local schools where they could practice. It’s a lot to ask students to practice away from their home school and a bit of a logistical nightmare to get everyone together. However, that dedication and resilience paid off when the Lobos reached Stein High School and picked up victories. Ten students made the final roster and became the heart and soul of Calla on Sept. 15.
Back on the Calla campus, students and teachers watched the games via a live link. There was excitement on the campus and a palpable atmosphere of pride and unity as the students watched the team perform.
“The kids got excited knowing the students and staff back at Calla were watching them,” Maruyama said. “That makes a big difference to a team to know they are supported.”
Calla English teacher Kevin Talitsu added, “The kids did a great job, and it was super fun to watch.”
The Lobos will be back on the court Oct. 6, when they will play at Sequoia High School of Merced.
Head Custodian Michael Heinze • Sep 28, 2023 at 12:16 pm
Great job journalism class for overcoming any challenges that may have presented themselves to you all while putting together Calla High Schools first news source!
adviser • Sep 28, 2023 at 12:35 pm
Thank you for reading and your support.