Kyle Dang, Emilly De Farias Weihrauch, and Israa Malhouni also contributed to this article.
The giggles that once echoed in the Kindergarten hallways have, over the years, evolved to become the sounds of cheers and success at Malden High. As another batch of seniors prepares to graduate this summer, they are leaving a forever impact on those who have taught them, coached them, and the team they turned into a family.
In the Finn Gym on Monday, October 20th, as applause from the JV and Freshmen volleyball games subsided, the audience shifted its attention towards the seniors, who would be playing their last home game of their Malden High School careers. As Coach Daniel Jurkowski gathered the silence of the crowd, a total of eight seniors were being celebrated and walked out with their friends and family: Danielle Harrington, Avani Chhetri, Gabriella Lemus, Katelynn Vo,Sorin Mamouzette, and captains Sania Chen, Rashmi KC, and Namaicka Jeune.
Upon entering the gym, blue and gold balloons as well as ribbons wrapped around the bleachers’ railings, could be seen, and the aroma of popcorn from the Class of 2026’s concession stand could be smelled. As one continued to scan the area, the back wall of the gym, which houses the mural of Nedlam, was decorated with athlete portraits, customized posters, and hampers filled with gifts for all eight seniors.
Jurkowski shared heartfelt memories and praises for each of his players, creating a bittersweet atmosphere among the crowd and the varsity girls. Between every tribute for the seniors, families and friends gathered for a dedicated photo session, holding flowers, gifts, and signs in support of the players.
“It’s been a long journey with this group; one thing that definitely sticks out for this year was Namaicka’s return. After her injury last year, we were unsure whether she would join or not. When she told us she was playing, everyone had a sigh of relief, and we knew this season would be great,” expressed Jurkowski.
Sophomore and Varsity player Hadassa Pierre-Rene shared how the seniors this year showed her “what determination truly is.” Despite being down a few points or losing a set, the seniors’ drive “to get those points or even that set back” is through the roof. “I feel sad knowing that next year I won’t be able to play with this year’s seniors, because they made this season enjoyable with their skills and personalities, but I hope that next year’s seniors bring that same energy,” Pierre-Rene continued.
Shifting from the ceremony into the first set, the Golden Tornados began to face the Medford Mustangs, where Medford gained a head start, with a score of 4-1. However, Malden refused to let this small fluke stop them, as Chen would tie the scoreboard at 5-5 with a picture-perfect spike.
“Knowing it was my last home game, I felt satisfied. We’ve had a very successful season and ended it with a winning streak,” Chen proudly stated.
As the set continued, Malden’s unwavering determination rose, but it would slowly cost them as their next few spikes—full of energy and passion—would hit several out-of-bounds for the following three rallies. Despite their falter, Malden’s defense and offense would work hand-in-hand, eventually closing the gap while Medford paused at 15-14.
The first set would enter a brief intermission with Malden in the lead by just one point as the score paused at 18-17, allowing both teams to gather themselves.
Consistent offensive attacks advanced the set in Malden’s favor. Ultimately, the round would end 25-21, granting Malden their first point, after Medford had failed to serve the ball over the net.
“I had so much fun, and the energy coming from the crowd was amazing. Having everyone come in for my senior picture was so heartwarming. I felt so supported. Nonetheless, I still felt sad knowing that I’ll never play with these amazing girls again, but the memories made with them will never be forgotten,” remarked Mamouzette.
Advancing into the second set, both teams switched courts, and unlike the previous set, Malden redeemed themselves, beginning with a head start of 3-0. Medford did not let this slide past easily, as they began to make a comeback, leading the match 5-3.
Malden found themselves slowly trailing behind Medford, as the score advanced 9-11, slowly coming back as they tied the score at 11-11. This tie would gradually break, with Malden leading as Medford failed to serve over the net. From then on, both sides continued to tie with one another for every two rallies.
As Medford received a serve from Vo, the ball was sent flying over the net, where Chen delivered a block from mid-court with a slamming spike, causing the crowd to erupt into roars of excitement, advancing the score to 17-17.
From this point on, the Tornados gained a sense of newfound ambition, counteracting attacks from the Mustangs with many defensive blocks, which would lead the match to 22-19, ultimately concluding at 25-22, as the Mustangs failed to save themselves from Malden’s serves, defensive plays, and resilience–setting the score to an outstanding 2-0 Malden lead.
Although the Mustangs were fighting just as hard, staying neck and neck with the Tornados, Malden’s energy was at an all-time high, as the gym echoed with cheers and chants, driving them to win despite any setbacks, especially with KC’s digs and dives.
“I was excited and nervous knowing that these would be the last moments that I would ever be stepping foot into the gym to play a sport that shaped me throughout my high school experience,” expressed KC.
As the first two sets were mainly senior-centric so all available varsity players, except Harrington, who was healing from an injury, had a chance to play at their last home game. The third set allowed sophomores Hadassa Pierre-Rene, Xiaohui Li, and junior Maliya Kazadi to step on the court.
Harrington voiced how “spraining” her ankle towards the end of the season was a “bummer,” stopping her from participating in Malden High’s last volleyball match before the season’s conclusion.
Just as the set began, in a remarkable play, the Mustangs received a serve, sending it flying out of bounds; however, the Medford girls showed their determination and arm strength, rushing towards the ball, attempting to send it to Malden’s court, and succeeding; however, despite the perseverance, Medford lost the rally, granting Malden their first point of the set.
A strategy employed by the players was to confuse the opposing team by, instead of delivering their signature hits, Kazadi or Chen would “tip” the ball over the net, earning them key points that would lead to their victory.
Similar to the last two sets, Malden slowly advanced towards Medford, where they continuously trailed with a one-point difference or tied for many consistent rallies in a row. Later, junior Sherley Jeune and sophomore Alexis Lee would be subbed in, and then, finally, at 17-17, junior Ly Nguyen stepped onto the court.
The game’s streak of tying and one-point differences would eventually end in a score of 3-0, after Medford failed to send Chen’s serve over the net, capping the set at 25-20.
“Take everything you’ve learned in your past four years of high school: being a part of a team, collaboration, and interacting with different personalities, and observe how everyone can come together for a common goal, whether it’s for school or sports,” concluded Coach Dan.
Correction: a previous version of this article mistakenly listed Hadassa Pierre-Rene as a JV player when it should have said Varsity.
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