Sweet success for Marina volleyball

The Marina High School girls’ volleyball team has a lot to be

proud of.

Yes, the team’s season ended sooner than members would have wanted

after a loss last Saturday in the first round of the state tournament

to Torrey Pines. But by then, the season had lasted longer than most

could have hoped. Just getting to the state level was an incredible

accomplishment.

After five years on the outside looking in, the team captured the

CIF Southern Section championship by beating perennial powerhouse

Mira Costa two weeks ago. And they did it in heart-racing fashion,

pulling out the 15-4, 15-11, 14-16, 13-15, 15-9 upset victory.

It was a moment that team members -- seniors Becky Green, Jessica

Brackett, Martha Gardikas, Tonya Maosi and Amber Gregory; juniors

Bree Peterson, Whitney Gaeta, Stacey Yudin and Jenna Davies; and

sophomore Natalie Nieto -- won’t soon forget. For the seniors,

especially, it will certainly remain a defining moment of their high

school careers.

For the juniors and other underclass players, along with coach

Jeff Caughthran and assistant coach Corey Peters, it was a moment to

build upon in the years to come. This team should focus on being

right back in the hunt for CIF -- and even state -- championships.

After all, they know just how great it feels to win.

But those are thoughts for after the elation from this year’s

success wears off. Right now, everyone deserves to enjoy the feeling

of victory.