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The Mirror

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The student website of Van Nuys High School
Van Nuys, California
The Student News Site of Van Nuys High School

The Mirror

The Student News Site of Van Nuys High School

The Mirror

Isabel Valles

Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor

Through participating in multiple sports writing competitions, I was able to prove my commitment to the class and was chosen to become sports editor in my second year of journalism. My love for sports writing came around the time my love for sports developed around 6 years ago. Another thing I love about writing about sports is being able to inform and catch up readers about games that they may have missed. Currently I play three sports, flag football, track and field, and basketball. After high school I plan on attending either the University of Pennsylvania or the University of Santa Cruz. My goal for this year as editor is to become a better leader and learn from any mistakes that I might make in the process.

All content by Isabel Valles
Coaches inspire athletes with life and sport philosophies

Coaches inspire athletes with life and sport philosophies

Coaches share how team culture impacts success
By Isabel Valles and Ennio Muhi
Nov 19, 2024
Led by coach Ken Osorio, the ambitious football team was able to make it to the quarterfinals after 12 years.

Wolves football team reaches CIF quarterfinals after long drought

Players attribute success to strong team mentality
By Isabel Valles and Alyson Cerna
Nov 13, 2024
After a school-spirit filled homecoming parade, The Wolves prepared to tackle their long awaited homecoming game against Canoga Park.

Homecoming Heroes: The Wolves clinch a homecoming win

After demolishing the Reseda High School Regents with a score of 38-0, the Wolves faced Canoga Park High School at home for the homecoming game, ultimately winning 49-20.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Oct 20, 2024
VNHS football team getting into position and facing Reseda in the second quarter.

Blowout victory: Wolves leave the Reseda Regents scoreless

After an incredible 36-30 win against San Fernando High School during their previous game, the Wolves went against Reseda High School at home.
By Isabel Valles and Natalie Herrera
Oct 14, 2024

 Ready, Set, Tackle!  (From L to R) Players William Sizemore, Oscar Urias, and Taner Sungur get into position as they get ready to steal the ball from the Fulton Jaguars.

Disastrous debut: Football loses first home game of the season

The team played their home season opener against the Fulton High School Jaguars on Sept. 13, ultimately losing 23-14.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Sep 19, 2024
The girls flag football team poses in front of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) bruin statue with excitement filling their bodies as they are about to play their first game at the Rams Jamboree.

Unfortunate losses for the flag football team at Rams Jamboree

The girls flag football team suffered two losses at the 2024 Los Angeles Rams Flag Football Jamboree.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Sep 17, 2024
HITTING IT OUT OF THE PARK | Coach Sepulveda strives to make a difference by educating others on physical health and wellness.

5 MINUTES WITH… Baseball coach and P.E teacher Sepulveda

Coach Andres Sepulveda, a passionate coach and physical education teacher at VNHS, discusses balancing life, his passion for fitness and valuable life lessons.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Sep 13, 2024
Even though they're disappointing, cancellations happen, making fans and players alike often feel like they’re left in a lurch, especially at the last minute. But maintaining the integrity of the sport and the well-being of the athletes is the first priority — usually — when such a decision is made.

Why are games canceled?

By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Sep 4, 2024
TEAMWORK: Members of the girls volleyball team huddle for a pep talk during their season opener against the Santee High School Falcons on Aug. 23 in the Big Gym. “Although most of their points were our mistakes," team captain and outside Hitter Samantha Sirichai said, "we made up for it throughout the game." The Wolves won 3-0.

Girls volleyball dominates season’s first home game

In an energetic 3-0 victory, outside hitter Lauren Renard scores multiple kills against the Santee High Falcons while middle blocker Teagan Greer hits an overpass kill scoring for the Wolves.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Aug 29, 2024
FAST AS LIGHTNING Brandon Arteaga bolts away from a Mendez High player attempting to pull and tackle him.

2024-2025 Fall Sports Schedules

View all game dates for VNHS sports!
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Aug 16, 2024
Shortstop Nate Renard swings his bat against the Kennedy High School pitcher on May 6.

Baseball souring through Division II playoffs

After a 10-10 overall season record, the baseball team has been performing incredibly well in their playoff season, with an inside-the-park homerun and a nailbiting game against the top seed in the division.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
May 17, 2024
YOUNG TALENT Hector Gonzalez is striving towards a professional career in football and only began playing this year.

Starting out strong

Outside linebacker Hector Gonzalez is the only freshman on the team. From being at every summer practice to playing with varsity level players, he proved himself worthy of being captain.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Mar 11, 2024
Yaneli Zuniga jumps high as she gets ready to throw the ball to another player.

Girls basketball advances to final playoff round

After putting in the work during their regular season, the girls basketball team was able to advance to the final game of playoffs.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Feb 22, 2024
Junior, Karen Grewal successfully gets passed her defender as she runs to score a layup.

Girls basketball team wins third home game in a row

The Wolves clawed up the Canoga Park Hunters on Monday, Dec. 4, and carved out an incredible victory with a score of 62-12.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Dec 11, 2023
Senior Cara Dechathong is part of the girls basketball team, which received a change in leadership when Coach Sara Marroquin at the end of last year.

Girls basketball kicks off the season with a stellar victory against the SOCES Knights

The girls basketball team played with a starting five and brutally slaughtered the Knights with a score of 46-24 on Monday, Nov. 13.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Nov 17, 2023
The Wolves warm back up from returning from their halftime break.

Sylmar beats varsity football in final game of the season

The tackle football team faced off against the Sylmar Spartans on Thursday, Oct. 19 at home, losing by a score of 47-28.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Nov 7, 2023
The defense team standing confidently, waiting for the kick-off to begin.

Boys football make it to playoffs for the first time in years

The Wolves will face off against the Chavez High School Eagles for their first playoff game in six years.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Nov 7, 2023
Elizabeth Castillo (#3) successfully sprints past three SOCES defenders.

The girls flag football team is headed to playoffs for the first time

Given a second chance by the California Interscholastic Federation, the team will be playing against Valor Academy at a home game.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Nov 2, 2023
Van Nuys players let out a rallying cry after a time out

Girls flag football team makes history – but nobody was there to see it happen

It felt like no one cared, like no one even bothered to bat an eye.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Sep 28, 2023
The football team put up a tough fight but were walloped 60-14 by the Hollywood High School Sheiks in a home game on Sept. 4 before the four-day Labor Day weekend. The offensive team meets the stiff Sheik defense as they try to gain yardage.

Football team brutally destroyed by Hollywood Sheiks

The football team played Hollywood High School on Thursday Aug. 31, and suffered a disastrous defeat, losing 60-14.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Sep 7, 2023
The Wolves football team lost their first away game of the season to Verdugo Hills, 55-7. Varsity players Abraham Cejas (L) and Hector Gonzalez pose on the quad before practice. "The loss is in the past already," Gonzalez said. "The only way to keep our head up is just to realize that we have practice on Monday." The team faces Hollywood High in a home game on Aug. 31.

Football team loses their first away game of the season

After winning their first game of the new season, the Wolves suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of Verdugo Hills
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Aug 28, 2023
Various sports teams are holding tryouts for students who are interested in joining.

Sports teams announce tryout dates

In preparation for brand new sports seasons, coaches are hosting tryouts for an assortment of athletics including girls and boys football, girls and boys tennis, girls softball, girls basketball, boys and girls soccer and for the first time ever, girls flag football. 
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Aug 24, 2023
The Wolves start off their season with a bang

The Wolves start off their season with a bang

Starting off the season, the Wolves football team was tasked to play against Mendez High School on Friday, Aug. 18, and ultimately triumphed on top, winning with a score of 28-21.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Aug 23, 2023
HEAVE HO Kaisher Barbaran practices
releasing the shot put on the school’s
practice field. Athletes, part of the
track and field team, hurl a 16-pound
metal ball as far as they can.

Giving it their best shot

The sight of shot put athletes in action sparked a passion within him. Encouraged by his teammates, and with Coach Alejandro Becerra's welcome, he joined the team.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Jun 6, 2023
Joselyn Giron, #4, uses her guarding skills to not let the San Fernando player get past her.

A new girls basketball coach is seeking athletes for her upcoming team

Girls basketball season has officially started, and they're kicking off the season with a new coach.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
May 15, 2023
A young athlete looks out on the field preparing herself for the upcoming flag football game.

Van Nuys introduces girls flag football starting next year

Students are excited for flag football becoming a new sport at Van Nuys High School.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
May 8, 2023
Gabriela Martinez, #6, gets ready to catch the pop fly from the other team’s hit. 

The softball team is unable to quench their thirst for victory

The Wolves’ softball team went against the Reseda Regents on Tuesday, April 11, and were mauled with a losing score of 4-21.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Apr 13, 2023
Girls basketball players Katya Tapia (L) and Jazmin Alejandre are tight on the court as well as off.

A dynamic duo on and off the court

By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Mar 28, 2023
Senior Gursewak Singh, #23, goes up for the block against Monroe’s attempted kill.

Boys volleyball suffer their first loss of the season

The boys volleyball team played the Monroe Vikings and lost on Friday, Feb. 17, with a score of 1-3.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Feb 19, 2023
Our girls basketball team is heading to playoffs!

Our girls basketball team is heading to playoffs!

After many facing off against many challenging opponents and putting in hours of hard work the girls basketball team has made it to the playoffs.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Feb 2, 2023
The ball is passed to girls basketball as they start their season

The ball is passed to girls basketball as they start their season

The girls basketball team is starting off their season this Friday, November 18, against La Cañada at home. JV will play at 3:00 pm and Varsity will play at 4:30.
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Nov 14, 2022
Pirates deliver playoff ending hook

Pirates deliver playoff ending hook

TENNIS | The girls tennis team played the San Pedro Pirate Pete’s in playoffs and lost, 12-17 on Tuesday, Oct. 25th on the Pirate’s Ship
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Nov 1, 2022
The Wolves' JV girls tennis team was able to raze the Reseda Reagents varsity team.

Lady Wolves tennis team: Underground ravagers of Van Nuys

The girls tennis team played the Reseda Regent’s and won, 7-0 on Mon., Oct. 10th in the Regents’ house. 
By Isabel Valles, Athletics Editor
Oct 17, 2022
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