On Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, Berkeley High School’s varsity womens volleyball team played against El Cerrito High School. BHS established an early lead in the first set. Their intensity on the court kept El Cerrito from gaining momentum offensively, and high energy and encouragement from the bench kept their spirits high. “The energy between the team was a highlight for me in this game. I think we were all bonding and having a lot of fun, cheering a lot,” BHS junior Corinna Leaf said after the game.
BHS junior Rubi Silva, who plays the setter position, delivered accurate sets throughout the game, creating many scoring opportunities for hitters. El Cerrito called the first time out with the score at 12-4 in the Jackets’ favor. BHS ultimately won the first set 25-14.
In the second set, BHS slowed down, allowing El Cerrito to catch up and tie the score 5-5 early on in the set. However, BHS quickly regained their momentum. The Jackets won the second set 25-17, leading the game 2-0.
In the third set, BHS took control. By the time El Cerrito called a timeout, the Jackets led 12-5. “I think we were a little nervous, because we had just come off a big loss,” BHS senior Osby Judd-Wade said, a captain and right-side hitter, “So I think we were also very hungry to get this win.”
Being in the lead, BHS started trying out new plays. “We wanted to run a couple of things like combo plays, so that’s where people kind of hit in a different position to throw the opponent off,” Judd-Wade said. This strategy worked, and BHS finished in a three set sweep, winning the third set 25-11.
“Our team’s dynamic is really great because everybody is super close, and we’re always laughing together, and that makes for really fun team chemistry,” BHS junior Liliana Sanger said. As the Jackets prepare for upcoming games this season, they hope to maintain that same energy and positive team dynamic.