Last year’s remarkable season (16-4), which culminated in a State Championship title, set high stakes for the Centennial volleyball team. The loss of eight seniors, including Division-1 Duke commit Mailinh Godschall, left the team with big shoes to fill and a youthful roster that needed to step up in order to mirror the success of last year’s team.
The season got off to a tough start, with the opening game ending in a 0-3 loss to Reservoir, followed by another defeat to River Hill. However, the team began to find their rhythm, dominating their next three opponents before succumbing to Bullis High School. As the season progressed, their record remained inconsistent, including a four-game losing streak, which they intermittently broke.
Through the ups and downs, the team gained valuable lessons from adversity, discovering the true meaning of perseverance in a way they hadn’t experienced in previous seasons. In 2023, they finished with an outstanding record and a state championship, while in 2022, they posted a nearly perfect 20-1-1 record but were struck by a devastating state quarter-final loss.
While this year’s Eagles faced challenges in securing wins, they appeared to have found their footing just in time for the playoffs. Their longest winning streak of five games has carried them into these State Finals, the most notable victory coming in the first round against Crofton High School. In that four-set match, the Eagles fought hard, securing a hard-earned win. From that point on, the team tapped into new energy and determination, propelling them through the playoffs.
“We’ve been doing a lot of film watching,” said Assistant Coach Rachel Valenti when asked how the team has been preparing for such an intense game. “The girls have put in a lot of effort… we’re not only working as a team, but individually too [in order to] prepare them to be on this stage again.”
The championship game kicked off with Senior Captain Joy Chen’s serve, but Williamsport quickly claimed the first point, setting the tone for a competitive match. Centennial leveled the score at 1-1 and kept the game close early on, with Senior Natalie Gomez delivering a powerful kill to narrow the gap to 3-5. Despite strong kills from Junior Audrey Smallidge, Williamsport was able to respond, extending their lead to 14-8 before Eagles Head Coach Michael Bosom called a timeout. The Eagles returned with renewed focus, with Junior Prakhya Chengal and Senior Amanda Xu making standout kills and blocks to bring Centennial within five points. Despite a strong fight back by the Eagles, a string of unforced errors gave Williamsport the advantage, and they closed out the first set 25-15.
The second set began with a revitalized Centennial taking their first lead of the match at 2-1. Williamsport quickly countered, turning the game into a back-and-forth battle until a dominant run pushed their lead to 9-3. Centennial fought back, with Gomez delivering two powerful kills and Junior Ana Lima firing off an ace, narrowing the score to 8-13. Despite the Eagles’ efforts, unforced errors proved costly once again. Williamsport capitalized on these mistakes to reach game point and secured the set 25-17, putting Centennial in a 0-2 hole, and unable to drop any more sets.
Facing elimination, Centennial came alive in the third set. Gomez led the charge with a kill, while Chen’s powerful serve and Chengal’s pinpoint strikes pushed the Eagles to an 11-6 lead. Williamsport called a timeout to regroup, but Centennial maintained their dominance, with Junior Hannah Shiau contributing two kills and Sophomore Joy Dong adding an ace. The crowd roared as the Eagles surged to a 24-10 lead, and Gomez sealed the set with a commanding block, earning a 25-10 victory and keeping Centennial alive.
The fourth set opened with both teams trading points in a tense exchange. Centennial gained an early 7-4 lead after another strong kill from Gomez, but Williamsport quickly tied the score at 8-8. A controversial call swung the momentum in favor of the Wildcats, who went on a dominant run to take a 22-12 lead. Chengal showed more strong efforts to keep Centennial in the game, but Williamsport proved too tenacious, closing the set 25-13 to claim the championship.
Although the defeat stung, the Eagles played with heart and determination, battling relentlessly against the Williamsport Wildcats. Every point was a testament to their hard work, resilience, and commitment not just to the game, but to one another. Throughout a challenging season, they fought tirelessly, showcasing the strength and unity that defined their journey.
Reflecting on the team’s journey to the finals, Senior Captain Joy Chen expressed deep gratitude for the experience. “It means everything. Just coming back here with this team means everything,” she said. “I feel like this group is really special, and I wouldn’t want to be here with anyone else.”
For Junior Hannah Shiau, the finals marked the end of a cherished chapter with her senior teammates. “I’ve played with these four seniors since my freshman year, so we were already like a big family,” she shared.
The emotions of the final game were bittersweet for Shiau. “It’s really sad that this had to be our last game, but I’m glad we got this far and made the most of it,” she added.
This season, with its highs and lows, has showcased the core strength of the Centennial volleyball program. It’s a season that will be remembered not only for the challenges faced but for the growth, unity, and perseverance that defined it. The Eagles may not have claimed the state championship, but their journey to the finals was a victory in itself and one that will resonate for years to come.
ar/rd/tk
For more breaking news and photos, follow The Wingspan on Instagram and Twitter @CHSWingspan.
