On March 15, 2024, the girls’ volleyball team at Jesse Bethel High School celebrated Senior Night with a commanding performance against local rival Vallejo High School. The Jaguars secured a decisive victory, sweeping the match with scores of 25-14, 25-10, and 25-6. This win marked Bethel’s sixth consecutive triumph, bringing their record to 10-4 overall and 5-2 in the Tri-County Athletic League.
High Energy and Team Spirit
The atmosphere at the Jesse Bethel gymnasium was electric, filled with enthusiastic supporters. Bethel senior Renee Meneses expressed the significance of the match, saying, “We’ve been thinking of this match since the beginning of the season. It’s a rival game, and I know a lot of the Vallejo players since I went to middle school with most of them.” Meneses emphasized the importance of energy in their performance, stating, “If you’re going to be a good team, we need to have good energy, and we take a lot of pride in that.”
Head Coach Valencia Puu echoed this sentiment, noting the anticipation surrounding the game. “We haven’t seen them in over a month, so it was a game we were all looking forward to. Being a town rival, it’s always fun to play them, regardless of the result,” she said. The added celebration of Senior Night only heightened the excitement.
Match Highlights and Key Performances
Bethel quickly established dominance in the first set, taking a 14-8 lead. A powerful kill by Riah Paopao and an ace from Chesa Villiezar helped secure the win in that set. After Vallejo committed an unforced error on the serve, Bethel closed it out at 25-14. Coach Puu observed, “After the first set, we still had to remain humble because we knew how Vallejo could come back if we made errors.”
In the second set, Bethel’s serving prowess became apparent as they jumped to a 4-0 lead, thanks to back-to-back aces from Villiezar. Vallejo attempted to rally, closing the gap to 8-6, but Bethel responded with a 6-0 run. Meneses contributed significantly with multiple aces, and the Jaguars ultimately won the second set 25-10.
The final set saw Vallejo struggle to match Bethel’s energy. The Jaguars surged ahead with a 7-0 lead, fueled by three consecutive aces from Villiezar. Meneses added further momentum with two kills, and the set concluded with a commanding score of 25-6.
Vallejo’s Head Coach Usiku Barrow acknowledged Bethel’s superior performance, stating, “They were the better team. We missed some key serves, and our defense was a little off. Moving forward, we want to execute our offense a little cleaner.” Vallejo’s record fell to 4-8 overall and 2-5 in league play following the loss.
For Meneses, Senior Night was an emotional experience. Reflecting on her journey, she remarked, “It felt like a full circle moment from when I was a freshman playing to now. It was heartwarming.” Coach Puu also shared her feelings, highlighting the personal connections she has developed with the players over the years, stating, “It’s also nice to see a lot of the old alumni. I love Senior Night, but the preparation is hectic and a lot.”
As the Jaguars continue their season, they will aim to maintain their momentum and build on this significant victory against their rivals.
