Langley? We’re not so worried about their volleyball team.
That’s what the coach of Fairfax High’s Girls Volleyball team said when asked about the team’s expectations for playoffs, according to Langley senior player Catherine Baek.
But this season, Langley Volleyball proved they were in fact a team to worry about, when they defeated the odds to place third at states.
“No one expected us to get through. People underestimated us every single time,” Baek said. “That’s what fired us up and pulled us together as a team.”
The team, with 24 wins and six losses total this season, defeated all their opponents at districts and all but one of their opponents (Stone Bridge) at regionals.
They went on to win the state quarterfinals against Patrick Henry High, securing a spot at semifinals against Kellam High. The team traveled to Richmond on Nov. 15 for the big game, which was held at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center, and streamed live on YouTube.
“We were all super excited to compete in an arena like that,” said junior Alex Andrejev.
While the team lost semifinals to Kellam, they were still extremely happy with the season.
“It was above and beyond. They’ve exceeded my expectations,” said head volleyball coach Susan Shifflett. This year was the first that Langley volleyball has competed at states since 2009.
The team credits their success to their incredible bond.
“We’re kind of obsessed with each other,” said senior Jenna Dean. The girls spent two hours a day, six days a week training together in the weeks leading up to regionals and states.
“We got so far because of our heart. I truly feel like these girls are my family and I love them to death,” added senior Hoai-Nam Bui.
Looking to the future, the team will lose four seniors next year, but will still have plenty of returning talent, according to Baek.
“Our team is so young, so we’re really excited for them,” she said.