On November 1st, 2025, the Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team went away to play against the undefeated Chelmsford Lions; however, they lost three sets to none, each ending in 25-5, 25-11, and 25-7. Leading up to this match, Malden had won its last six games and entered Chelmsford with an overall record of 15-6. With Chelmsford being undefeated, Malden knew that it would be a tough task, but still aimed to keep their “heads high and ready to take on any game,” senior Gabriella Lemus said encouragingly.
This mentality motivated all players to keep positive attitudes throughout the game, regardless of the score. Coach Daniel Jurkowski shared his thoughts on the game, commenting, “Chelmsford was ranked #1 and had not lost a game all season. The motivation for the girls, and especially our seniors, was not to let the season end. And if it was going to end, they would keep their heads held high, knowing we gave our best effort on and off the court.”
Even when trailing, Malden understood that enjoying the moment was key to keeping their energy up and motivated, “positive energy kept us in the fight,” added Lemus. This season provided the team with the opportunity to reach the state tournament for the fifth year in a row and also win their first states game in about a decade.
While it is clear that the team is dedicated and capable of incredible performances as a unit, they credit a recognizable portion of their outstanding motivation to coach Jurkowski. “I’ve noticed I take his competitiveness on court with the support of my teammates. They are a reminder to not give in to pressure on court and that I have a purpose: to be a role model for everyone,” proclaimed senior Captain Sania Chen.
Although the team may not have secured the result they wanted, they still managed to set an example of athletic excellence, “I felt sad at first because it was the last game I would play with the other seniors but then I felt content because our season was going to end one way or another, and what better way than to play the number one ranked team in the state. It was awesome,” concluded Chen.
About the Author
