Sports
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Lady Trojans Drop Season Finale to Wilcox
On a night honoring its six seniors, Milpitas loses 3-0 in its final game of the season.
The Milpitas High girls volleyball team lost 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-16) to Wilcox High-Saratoga on Thursday night in front of a packed gym for Senior Night.
Heading into the finale, Milpitas had won two straight, and three out of its last four games. The Lady Trojans were looking to end the season on a high note against a Wilcox team they had beaten 3-1 in late September, but fell flat in front of their home crowd.
“I don’t know what happened tonight,” said senior Jacqueline Lamb. “We just weren’t ready for them. I think we came out here thinking we could beat them like we did last time, but they got the best of us.”
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The loss marked the end of an up-and-down season for the Lady Trojans, who showed glimpses of dominance throughout the season but could never find its groove or put together long stretches of wins.
Milpitas finishes the season with an overall record of 13-20 and 6-6 in league play.
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“I think overall, the season was good,” said senior Stefanie Pati. “But I don’t think our record reflects that. Tonight, some of the team came to play and some of them didn’t, and that is something we went through all year.”
Before the game, friends and family of seniors Idalia Campos, Julia Regalado, Cassie Cacao, Julissa Rivera, Lamb, and Pati joined the players on the court during introductions.
But what started off as a happy night ended in sadness as the six seniors walked off the court disappointed after the loss and fighting away tears, knowing it would be the last time they donned a Lady Trojans’ jersey.
“I am going to miss everyone,” Pati said after the game. “We’ve grown closer, especially in the last two years since we’ve been on varsity. And it was trying to lead this team together this year.”
After the game, Milpitas Coach Jeff Lamb praised his departing seniors, and said the team will miss their veteran presence and skill.
“Cassie was our number one setter and worked hard,” Coach Lamb said. “Idalia is our defensive specialist and improved a lot from last year. Julia didn’t get a lot of playing time, but when she did, she did a very good job for us. Stefani and Julissa are two of the best athletes I’ve ever coached. And Jacqueline played out of position all season, and played very well.”
Milpitas will look to improve next year with eight returning varsity players and a new crop of younger players eager to earn playing time for the Lady Trojans.
