Girls water polo
On Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, the girls water polo team celebrated Berkeley High School seniors Margaux Rocha, Juliet Distefano, Elena Samuels, and Izzy Zimmerman before playing an epic match against Castro Valley High School. Senior night commenced with girls varsity coach Logan Hennessy giving each senior a potted flower, along with personalized initial necklaces. The team then went on to play a tense but ultimately successful game, securing the win with a final score of 12-9.
Prior to the match, the team and their families gathered while Coach Hennessy praised each senior’s individual qualities. Once he was done, teammates ran to congratulate them with handmade signs.
The game was fast-paced from the very beginning, with both teams shooting successfully on goal.
Co-captains Samuels and Rocha noted the win was extra special for the team. “It was kind of unexpected, last year we came in second in the league to them,” Rocha said.
BHS junior Rea Horgan will remember these seniors for their spirit and kindness. “I love their positivity, I wish them all the best after they graduate,” Horgan said.
Boys water polo
For the BHS varsity boys water polo team, the pool represents countless hours of hard work, dedication, and unforgettable memories that have shaped their high school experiences.
On Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, the boys varsity team took on their last home game of the season against Castro Valley High School. BHS played their hardest, but lost with a final score of 2-14. Despite the unfortunate outcome, there was a strong sense of trust and connection within their team. Their energy and speed kept the audience thrilled and on edge.
Before the game began, families gathered on the campus green for a heartfelt ceremony honoring the seniors. It started with the families receiving flowers, followed by a dedicated speech commemorating the seniors’ accomplishments. The rest of the varsity squad surprised the seniors with posters featuring clever puns on their names — a senior night tradition.
“This program doesn’t give up, this program isn’t going to be pushed over, and we’re here for the long run,” Coach Alon Yoeli said, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and determination.
Girls field hockey
On the afternoon of Wednesday, Oct. 22,2025, the BHS girls field hockey team hosted Red-wood High School for senior night. The final score was 0-5, the win going to Redwood. The ceremony started with a show of sportsmanship, as BHS players gifted every Redwood senior roses.The seniors then walked under a tunnel of hockey sticks formed by the BHS JV team as each senior received their own flowers. The stands were filled with friends and family there to support the athletes. Although the game ended in a tough loss, BHS senior and captain Ailsa Collier said, “We all went into the game knowing that we were going to play the best team in the league … it felt like the community I had built was showing up for me and we were all there together. ”BHS senior Simone Gardner said she will miss“ working on building a team and constantly trying to improve with other people.”Senior night is a celebration, but also signifies an emotional transition out of high school sports. “I don’t necessarily feel like a senior. I just feel like a player, and then I’m like, ‘Oh, it’s done.’” BHS senior Natalie Catonsaid.
Girls Volleyball
On Wednesday, October 22, the Berkeley High School girls volleyball team played against Alameda High School. The senior night ceremony started out after the JV volleyball team won. Liliana Sanger read each senior athlete’s name along with what they plan to do after high school. They then walked out with their parents and family through balloon banners.
Throughout the whole match, even when the team was down, through good teamwork they were able to win the match 3 sets to one. Senior and captain Osby Judd-Wade said, “Volleyball is a group effort, it takes a lot of team work and team collaboration. Some people say that volleyball is around 80 percent physical, 20 percent a team effort.”
he match, all of the 6 seniors started at the beginning of the match. In the first set, the Alameda hornets were up by 6 points and despite how hard Berkeley High fought they lost the first set. For the 2nd set, after good teamwork and determination they got up early in the middle of the set and sealed it to tie the match up. After good defense and a very close third set, they pulled ahead and won it with a serve error by the other team. In the last set after being tied the entire match, they pulled a tense win to end the season.
Although the team ended up with a win, for many of them this meant how soon these seniors wouldn’t be there to support them in their matches next year. Leah Green, a volleyball senior, said, “I'm leaving a lot of people that I've built really strong relationships with, became friends with outside of volleyball as well. I think though, that every chapter opens and closes. I'm very grateful for my experience on Berkeley high volleyball, because of the great learning.”
Girls tennis
The score was tied 10-10 in the match tiebreaker. BHS seniors Maya Gearen and Sarah Marsh were only two points away from winning their doubles match against Castro Valley High School. Gearen stepped up to serve and after a short rally, the ball went into the net. The crowd erupted.
After another short exchange, Marsh slammed a crucial volley past her opponent, securing the win. The match ended on a high note, despite the 5-2 overall loss to Castro Valley.
“I’m both happy and sad. I’ve had a great season and a great time, but also it’s really sad that I’m not gonna get to play on the team anymore,” Marsh said. BHS senior Vera Ertel echoed this sentiment. “It’s a little bittersweet, but with college apps and school, tennis has been so stressful,” Ertel said, referring to the difficulty of balancing commitments.
Reflecting on the team culture, BHS senior Ezra Abarbanel said, “There’s been so much support and love for everyone throughout each game.” Other players also praised the culture of the team. “The seniors have done a great job of making a positive environment for tennis,” BHS senior Samantha Lopatin said.
