What started as a new and exciting addition to Cal High’s sports lineup, beach volleyball has quickly grown into a competitive and well-organized program.
With improved teamwork, stronger skills, and an increasing number of players hitting the sand, the sport celebrated a major milestone by winning its first league game on March 27 against Monte Vista.
The team has a league record of 2-2, with an overall record of 7-3-1. The Grizzlies beat Livermore 3-0 in its most recent game on April 24.
This season has already seen impressive growth, and there’s plenty more to look forward to as the team continues to gain experience and confidence.
Not only are the players adjusting to a unique, sandy terrain at Boone Acres Park for their home matches,, but they’re also learning to navigate new rules, strategies, and techniques that set beach volleyball apart from its indoor counterpart.
“Throughout the season, I have gotten better at beach volleyball,” junior Prathistha Gobinath said. “Beach volleyball is very different from indoor volleyball, and there are different skills that you need. Learning those skills has been fun and exhausting at the same time.”
The transition from indoor to beach volleyball requires a new level of strategy and endurance. Senior Sofia Bonifacio, who is on both of Cal’s teams, said beach volleyball is more challenging because there are only two players on the court instead of the core six.
Bonifacio described it as if people were missing.
“I think being out there with you and your partner, there’s a lot more pressure on you,” coach Brian Long said. “In indoor, you can move players around if they’re not performing well, or you can sub them out. But in beach, I can’t sub anyone out.”
Similarly, junior Nadia Fan, a three year varsity volleyball player and member of the beach volleyball team, said the new sport is more tiring because the sand makes it harder for players to move around compared to the hardwood floor.
Despite the initial challenges, the progress has been clear. The team is now moving confidently on the sand, communicating effectively, and sharpening their overall game awareness.
Additionally, with many of the players also playing club beach volleyball, they use the school team to get better for their club season.
“[A goal] we have is just seeing continuous improvement throughout the season,” Bonifacio said.
This season has also brought a series of intense and competitive match ups, with each game pushing players to perform their best. Many of the matches have been closely contested, adding to the excitement and energy surrounding this emerging sport on campus.
“[The first season is going] pretty good,” senior captain Anne Yamada said. “I feel like the teams that we’re playing are pretty good, so it’s evenly matched.”
Each match presents a new test both physically and mentally, keeping the season both competitive and unpredictable.
For many athletes, it’s not just about improving technically, but also about rising to new challenges.
Transitioning from indoor to outdoor volleyball comes with a unique set of obstacles. One major difference is the variety of specialized skills used in beach volleyball that aren’t as common indoors.
“One challenge that I faced was learning how to pokey,” Gobinath said.
A pokey is when players make contact with the ball with their knuckles instead of their hand. According to olympics.com website, a pokey is used to create a finesse shot and is generally used a lot more in beach volleyball compared to traditional volleyball.
Adjusting to these new techniques takes time, but mastering them is crucial for success on the sand.
With the demonstrating dedication and growth, they are excited to cement their legacy and grow stronger together.
