On Sept. 30, the Coral Gables High School girls volleyball team celebrated their senior night against Coral Reef High School. The night was not just a triumphant and celebratory moment for the players, it was a match that brought together friends, classmates and family members to commemorate all the hard work and dedication that the seniors on the team have put into their sport all up until their very last point.
Seniors who have been on the volleyball team for just one year or for all four years of high school, were all honored and celebrated individually for the commitment they have contributed this fall season.
Just days before the awaited match, the junior varsity team filmed a reel on Instagram each sending a message to all the seniors and wishing them good luck on their next chapters after high school. Members of the team each individually expressed their admiration and appreciation for their role models.
“Personally, I feel like having a close relationship with the seniors – it’s definitely helped me a lot, being able to ask a senior like Isabella Cruz questions about athletics and academics. I have a class with her, and I truly think that she demonstrates what it means to be a student athlete. She’s very hardworking and she always makes sure she has her work done on time, and I honestly think she’s a great role model, and she’s able to balance her student and athlete life so well,” sophomore Bella Domecq said.
Junior varsity held their game from 3:30 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. Even though the team fought hard, they were unable to defeat the Barracudas. As the clock neared 5 p.m, the gym began to fill with students, family and even teachers as the girls varsity team began their warmups on the court. The loud upbeat electronic music resonated throughout the gymnasium, as the sounds of enthusiastic chattering students filled up the space of the gym.
The bleachers were not only filled up with Cavalier parents, teachers and students, but also unwavering Cavalier pride. Attendees of the match were able to get red and black pompoms, and even signs with the seniors’ faces on them to root for them as the match carried on. The energy that surrounded the gym was overwhelming with emotion, pride and excitement.
“It’s almost like we were predetermined to win. The energy that the crowd had was unlike any other game Gables has ever had before,” sophomore Jose Rojas said.
Just 16 minutes after the first set began, Gables was already in the lead with a score of 5-2 against the Barracudas. After every point scored, the team constantly huddled up and high-fived in celebration, and if they did not score a point, they would uplift one another and pat each others’ backs in mutual encouragement. The first set progressed rapidly as Gables held a substantial lead. In just half an hour, Gables won the first set with an impressive score of 25-13.
As both teams were called for a half-time, the members of the volleyball team cheered each other on by shouting supportive comments to uplift and encourage their fellow teammates. As the team huddled up in discussion, Coach D’alemberte, the varsity coach for girls volleyball, was seen giving instructions and advising the girls on what to do when they return to the game and correcting their court strategies.
Soon enough, the second set approached in about a few minutes, and the girls were more than ready to continue hustling on the court. Similar to the first set, the second set advanced quickly and the Lady Cavaliers swept the court with a winning 25-22 score, leaving the crowd in high spirits for the last set of the evening.
For many, it was finally time for the most riveting and thrilling set yet. The third set did not disappoint the audience as the girls varsity team did not falter in their performance. Although the set was longer than the first two, it was the most unforgettable. In just twenty minutes, Gables was just moments away from claiming another victory. Gables and Coral Reef were at a tie by the end of the third set with a score of 16-16. Luckily, Gables was able to catch up at a score of 24-22.
Finally, a player from Coral Reef served the last ball. Students, coaches and families watched in fixed concentration as they were anticipating for Gables to wrap up the game.
The last point of the match was as if everything had turned into slow motion as the audience stood from the bleachers and pointed an index finger at the scoreboard to signal the game point. After the ball was smoothly passed by outside hitter Bianca Benson, setter Corina Mcdanal set the ball high up in the air, and the very last point was a hard-driven spike by Olivia Rodriguez. For a second, time froze and everyone grew silent as the sound of the ball rocketed cleanly over the sidelines. As the scoreboard changed from 24 to 25, the referee blew his whistle and gave the point to Gables. The crowd immediately erupted in celebratory shouts, and the entire volleyball team ran to the court screaming and hugging in a heap of joy. Parents threw their hands in the air while recording the unforgettable moment.
A few minutes after the varsity team met with their families and friends, two tables were moved to the center of the court. Families and friends of the senior athletes were called to gather around in a semi-circle and distribute gift baskets, customized water bottles, quarter zips with their last names on the back, and flower bouquets for each athlete. Each senior in the varsity team was crowned with a small tiara and a black sash with their jersey number and a big text saying “senior” in bold lettering. Managers of the volleyball team were not left unseen by the coaches either; managers were given a heartfelt message from members of the team, were thanked for their help in every practice and game and were recognized for the much needed assistance they give to make sure operations run smoothly.
Speeches were made from underclassmen about how much the seniors’ sportsmanship, leadership, dignity and work ethic has made an impact on their athletic, personal and academic lives. Other members of the team reflected on how their friendships with the seniors have made their experiences being a student at Gables less overwhelming.
Some of the seniors were overwhelmed with emotion and to make the night even more memorable, two of the seniors were given surprise homecoming proposals after the gifts and flowers were distributed. Senior Gabriel Carrizo walked in the scene asking co-captain Corina McDanal to go to homecoming with her and soon after that senior Marco Molinet walked on with his own poster asking the other Co-Captain Bianca Benson.
“When I got asked, the emotions that went through my head were full of surprise, happiness and excitement, especially since we just had a good win for our senior night,” senior Corina McDanal said.
“I had no idea [the proposal] was coming because I had already told [Marco] I couldn’t make it to Homecoming, because I had a college volleyball camp that weekend. He still asked me, even though he knew I couldn’t actually go to Homecoming, just so I could still have that special experience. It really showed how thoughtful he is and made the moment really unforgettable,” senior Bianca Benson said.
Senior night was not just their very last match, it was a heartfelt and nostalgic way of reminding everybody on the team how much of a family the volleyball community has built from a strong foundation of teamwork, discipline and so many friendships built because they shared one interest: volleyball. As the coaches lock the doors of the gym and take down the nets for the last time, the Class of 2026 seniors on the girls volleyball team permanently leave their legacy inside Gables’ gym.
