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The boys’ varsity volleyball team wrapped up their senior night with an astounding 3-0 sweep over the Reseda High School Regents. Emotions, loud cheers and memorable moments filled the scene both on and off the court, sending their seniors away with style.
In the perspective of most players, this was more than a custom, it was the conclusion of a journey between brothers who faced trials and tribulations together.
“Senior Night at first didn’t mean anything to me,” senior libero Dylan Azman said. “But toward the end I realized this was going to be one of the last games with this team. I loved the energy and we all played really well.”
For senior opposite hitter David Lara, the night was filled with pride and reflection. Volleyball allowed him to nurture relationships with people he had never expected he would become friends with.
“Senior Night was a night filled with sentiments and accomplishments,” Lara said. “Being able to celebrate my time within the volleyball team alongside my family and friends brought a lot of joy and memories that I will hold close to my heart.”
The first set began with the Wolves securing the first point with a kill. From then on, everything started going uphill with all the Wolves playing extremely great defense as well as offense to maintain the lead. Senior middle blocker Xavier Lauraya and senior JV middle blocker Iftykar Ifty in particular were scoring most of the points and ultimately, Van Nuys was able to come out victorious.In the second set, the Regents started off strong and held a lead at 20–17, until Lauraya made a key play that shifted the momentum and put the ball back in the Wolves’ favor. Senior middle blocker Jonathan Perez also defended well with strong blocking at the net, immediately shutting down Reseda’s offense.
“One moment that stood out for me during the game was when our middle blocker Xavier set me the ball and I spiked the ball down the line, making the whole crowd go wild,” junior setter Noel Baek said.
Another highlight moment that had the crowd going wild was when senior outside hitter Yeerdlee Miranda pulled off a strategic and intelligent move by swiping the opponent’s block rather than swinging directly into it.
“It was such a smart play,” Azman said. “It caught everyone off guard.”
Lara also made a play of his own to change the tide that night.
“The moment that stood out the most to me was when I went on a streak of serves that brought my team back from a 5-point deficit, eventually to a win,” Lara said. “Gaining support from my friends in the stands and teammates on the court — I felt unstoppable.”
The team rallied to tie the score and eventually secured the win, with the wolves scoring the final match point to close the set at 25–21 and went on to win the final set. Through this, their season and journey comes to a conclusion. The seniors are leaving behind lessons other than wins.
“Practice makes perfect,” Azman said. “If you really want to be good at something, put in the work and you’ll see the results. Volleyball helped improve my teamwork and communication, and through the good times and the bad, I’m truly grateful I joined, it shaped my whole high school experience.”
With this, the evening is closed not just with their victories but with gratitude, hugs and photographs that hold memories that last a lifetime.
