As students gradually settle back into school with matcha lattes in their hands, the fall sports season is in full swing, inviting incoming freshmen and leaving seniors alike to join and dedicate themselves to Malden High teams for the season. One of the first games inaugurating fall sports was the Girls’ Varsity Volleyball home game on September 3rd against East Boston.
Summer volleyball—organized by Coach Daniel Jurkowski, who has been coaching the sport for ten years—had been available in the Finn Gym over break, offering those interested in volleyball “a chance to learn, practice, and excel at skills.” This has especially proven to be beneficial for the incoming freshmen, shared sophomore and Junior Varsity player Sabrima Bhattarai. Two weeks before school started, practice and tryouts for Malden High’s volleyball team began, selecting the JV and Varsity members we have today.
Malden and East Boston began their first clash of the evening at around 5:00 pm, going neck-in-neck to win each rally. Although harboring only a few point differences in the first set, the Tornados kept a steady hand, gradually gaining confidence as the game progressed.
The opening game nerves and hesitation were present, with sophomore Varsity player Xiaohui Li expressing her “nervousness” in her “first game on Varsity.” With every spike, tip, dive, or set, the audience visibly shifted in their seats, with eyes trained on the court, frequently hooting: “You got this, Malden!”
The first set concluded with a close score of 25-23, earning Malden a lead, which would continue for the remaining plays. “Practice and improvement develop the game effectively, making it enjoyable to watch,” voiced freshman Anderson Lemus Cruz.
With a quick three-minute break, the second set commenced, demonstrating the Varsity players’ strengths with numerous aces by junior Aaliyah Ferreira, awe-inspiring hits by senior Captain Sania Chen, calculated blocks by sophomore Hadassa Pierre-Rene, and impressive dives by senior Captain Rashmi KC.
Teamwork hit the ground running with increased communication and sportsmanship, encouraging each member’s plays. Not once did they allow East Boston to gain a lead over them, ending the set at 25-21 and the overall score as 2-0.
“We’re all dedicated, we motivate each other after each point, and we work as a team,” remarked junior Raquel Ferreira.
The opener invited students, friends, parents, and alumni to fill the benches, as they cheered on for Malden’s success with elaborate chants created by the JV team for different moments in the game.
Before each set began, the players spelled out “M-A-L-D-E-N” while stomping their feet on the bleachers, creating a rhythm to welcome the team on court. “Access denied” is yelled upon blocking a hit, and “Tick Tick Boom” when the opposing team fails to receive a hit. Meanwhile, a failed serve receive by the opposition is met with, “A-C-E…ACE.” All of these expressions illuminate the team bonding and support found among the volleyball players, even if they are not a part of the same division.
Ultimately, the third and final set was won once more by the Tornados, this time with a ten-point difference of 25-10, bringing the final score to 3-0. The players maintained their strategy of employing “incredible offense” and “constant shift in positions” as described by freshman Brylie Leshane and junior Joan Diaz Vargas.
As soon as Varsity reached 25 points in the third set, the Malden High audience, JV, and the freshmen players rushed out of their seats, flowing down the bleachers to celebrate Malden’s victory with the players, squealing with excitement and bubbling with joy. Class of 2025’s senior Varsity Captain, now alumna, Jeslyn San, believes, “Their progress has a bright future in store for them.”
An opening victory raises spirits—especially for first-time Varsity players making their debut—and contributing to the victory is the team’s collective effort. Volleyball is not a one-person sport, emphasizing the need to connect and communicate for a successful season. “Not everything is going to go your way; you’re gonna lose games, coaches are going to get mad at you, but at the end of the day, you’re building relationships and trying to have fun,” advised Coach Dan.
When asked for this season’s goal, junior Maliya Kazadi expressed that many players aim to reach “States and win the GBL.” In addition, sophomore Hadassa Pierre-Rene included this goal would“make this season a memorable one for our graduating seniors and JV players who will continue to play and move up to Varsity.”
As the leaves begin to change color and the semester unfolds, the team carries with them a flawless 3-0 win and the promise of a season built on trust, teamwork, and dedication. Whether it is the JV chants reverberating through the Gym, or the quiet determination of first-time Varsity players, one thing is certain—the Tornados can blow away any challenge.
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