After last year’s undefeated league record, the girls volleyball team had high expectations as they entered the 2016 season. In addition to the pressure to continue their success, the girls played their first home game against Lynbrook on Sept. 15, Even with a younger starting lineup, MVHS pulled away from the game with a 3-2 win. Although MVHS made careless errors sets, senior team captain Ellie Cary, who has stepped up as a vocal leader on the team, made crucial spikes in the third and fifth sets to curb LHS’ strong hitters, and junior Alia Johnson’s blocks slowed down LHS’ scoring sprees.

But when MVHS faced off against Milpitas HS on Sept. 21, the score would not be as close, as MVHS blew out MHS 3-0 in straight sets. During the game, MVHS players communicated more effectively than MHS, which resulted in numerous mistakes on the part of MHS. Even when the secondary lineup switched on in the third set, MVHS blew out MHS 23-13.

Click through the gallery to see photos from both games.